Pre-Operative Predictors of Ossicular Status in Chronic Supportive Otitis Media

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic suppurative otitis media is associated with ossicular necrosis. Both safe and unsafe CSOM have incidence of ossicular necrosis. This study will provide the much-needed insight, into the factors which can act as significant predictors for the intra operative ossicular status, and help in better preparing the patient before the surgery and need for ossiculoplasty. Furthermore, narrowing down to the most significant ly related predictors, it may also be»possib1eto reduce the financial burden on the patient, something which is of prime importance in a resource limited country like ours. Objectives: pre-operative predictors of intra operative ossicular status in chronic suppurative otitis media and effect of duration of disease on hearing threshold and ossicular-status. Material and methods: A descriptive observational study was done in a Tertiary care referral center. A total number of 124 patients with the clinical diagnosis of CSOM were selected from outpatient department and admitted. All patients were subjected to otoendoscopy, X-raymastt), 1d (Schiller’s view) and pure tone audiometry. All patients underwent tympanomastoidectomy. Preoperative findings on the basis of history, examination and investigations were noted along with findings of intraoperative ossicular status. Findings were tabulated and statistical test were applied to determine significant preoperative predictors of iv intraoperative ossicular status. Results: Intraoperative ossicular necrosis was seen in a total number of 43 patients. On; univariate analysis, blood-stained discharge (P<0.0001), purulent consistency of ear discharge (0<0.0()01), associated symptoms of vertigo (p=0.0047), otalgia (p=0.0019), size(p=0.0042) and f site(p=0.004l), severity of hearing loss (p=0.004), sclerotic mastoid air cell (p=0.0001) had significant association with ossicular necrosis. The duration of disease and hearing threshold did not have statistically significant association (p=0.227). Conclusion: Ossicular necrosis is best indicated by the presence blood-stained and purulent discharge, vertigo, otalgia, total perforation, severe degree of hearing loss and sclerosed mastoid. Incus was the most common necrosed ossicle followed by malleus followed by stapes, Duration of disease did not have a significant connotation with hearing threshold.