Prospective Study of Audiological Analysis of Ossiculoplasty in Cases of Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media

Abstract

Background: Ossiculoplasty is defined as reconstruction of the ossicular chain using various graft materials and techniques. Aim: Audiological analysis with Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA) of results of ossiculoplasty in cases of safe and unsafe csom and its correlation with preoperative middle ear status using Kartush's Middle Ear Risk Index (MERI). Methodology: Non randomized prospective study conducted over 2 years in 34 patients with CHL; ossiculoplasty conducted with cartilage, remodeled autologous incus or malleus, malleostapediopexy and PORP; preoperative and 3 months postoperative PTA done. Kartush's MERI to correlate preoperative middle ear status with postoperative hearing results done. Out of 34 patients operated: 10-cartilage ossiculoplasty, 6-autologous incus, 2-autologous malleus, 4-PORP and 12-malleostapediopexy. Results and Conclusion: Hearing improvement was seen in all types of osssiculoplasties using various materials and techniques. However, there was no significant statistical difference between the various types in relation to the postoperative hearing improvement. Kartush's MERI was found to be an indicator of postoperative hearing improvement. It was found that as the value of the index increases, the postoperative hearing improvement decreases.