Overall outcome of Modified Radical Mastoidectomy (MRM)

Abstract

Aims: To compare overall findings of our Modified Radical Mastoidectomy (MRM) practice with the available contemporary standards of international recognition. Design and Methodology: The cohort included the patients who underwent Modified Radical Mastoidectomy from 2013 to 2018 by the author, who were subjected to a retrospective study. The details obtained from clinic reports were preoperative and postoperative hearing (documented to the end of the fourth post op year), and findings that were documented intraoperatively and post operatively in successive clinic visits. The parameters analysed were hearing improvement, disease extension, anatomical variations, immediate and late post-operative complications. Result: There were no evidence of recurrence following the surgical intervention. Postoperative mean air-bone gap had reduced by 9.5dBHL, 5dBHL, 7.44dBHL, 4.9dBHL, 4.1dBHL, 3.75dBHL and 8.18dBHL at 0.125kHz, 0.250kHz, 0.5kHz, 1kHz, 2kHz, 4kHz and 8kHz respectively. Disease involvement was found in Attic, Antrum, Sinus tympani, facial recess, mesotympanum, oval window and posterior sinus, supra tubal recess, sinodural angle cells, sinus sub tympanum, external ear canal, in the descending order of occurrence. 36 audited patients achieved dry ears by the end of second year though some had at least one intermittent wet episode and 4 had continuous persistent wet ears. Intraoperative findings analysis showed 2.5% were observed with perilymph leak, 27.5% had erosion of malleus head by disease, 55% had erosion of incus, 90% intact suprastructure, 97.5% had intact stapes foot plate, 15% had significant dural overhang, 10% had exposed facial nerve, 10% had anterior sigmoid sinus and 2.5% had exposed dura. Immediate post intraoperative complications of 7.5% HB grade 1 facial nerve palsy, 42.5% taste alteration, 5% CSF leak, 25% complaining of disturbing head ache, 7.5% having exposed dura (iatrogenic), 7.5% had dressing removed due to risk of pressure necrosis of pinna or developing Facial nerve palsy and 2.5% (one) patient had the meatus migrating downward due to a connective tissue problem of skin. During post-operative period stitch abscess was noted among 5%, achieved self-cleaning dry ear in 15%, wax build up in the dry ear in 10%. However, over 50% patients had minimum of 1 episode of wet ear in this period. Meatal stenosis and keloid development was noted among 10% and, graft perforation among 20% and 2.5% (one) wound dehiscence. During post-operative period 7.5% developed BBPV and similar percentage had caloric effect during packing of the cavity while 22.5% developed caloric effect during suction of the cavity. Conclusions: The improvements in hearing when adjunct with Tympanoplasty in this audit keep up with recent compared studies. Further its ability to safely achieve a disease free ear is endorsed and complemented by the low complication rates.