Subtotal petrosectomy - indications, surgical technique, experiences in Pécs

Abstract

Introduction: Subtotal petrosectomy (STP) has been known for decades and it is considered being on the borderline between ear and skull-base surgery. Due to its excessive radicalism and adverse effects on hearing, it has been a forgotten surgical technique until recently. Over the last decade, due to its many benefits and the ability to combine it with modern hearing rehabilitation methods, STP has reappeared, providing a definitive solution to a number of problematic middl-ear disorders. Aim: In our retrospective clinical study, we wanted to highlight the effectiveness of STP, analyzing the efficiency of this surgery for the first time in domestic patient records, and to report our own experiences to date. Method: We processed data from 45 surgeries on our 44 patients. In addition to presenting the various surgical indications, we review the steps of the operation, analyze the audiological results, including the various methods of hearing rehabilitation, and also analyze the complications that have occurred. Our results are also summarized in the light of international professional literature. Results: Of our 44 patients, 23 were female and 21 were male. Patients had a mean age of 44.6 ± 20.5 years and a mean follow-up of 23 ± 16 months. Of our patients, 25 (57%) had undergone at least two previous unsuccessful ear operations, and 6 (14%) had deafness before surgery. The most common indication was chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma. 13 patients underwent 14 cochlear implantations (23%), in addition 6 patients received bone anchored hearing aids (BAHA) (14%), and 2 patients (5%) underwent VSB (Vibrant Soundbridge) placement against the round window membrane. Complications occurred in 11 of our patients, the most common of which was cerebrospinal fluid leak (5 cases, 11%) and wound dehiscence (3 cases, 7%). Data from 3 patients were available for processing the audiological results. Conclusion: STP is an extremely favorable surgical solution for a number of middle-ear pathologies that have previously caused major problems. The main reason for its growing popularity is that it can be combined with a number of modern, effective methods of hearing rehabilitation. Orv Hetil. 2020; 161(14): 544-553.