Impact of mastoidectomy on tympanoplasty for recurrent suppurative otitis media

Abstract

Background

There are still many questions about the pathogenesis of chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) and consequently about the optimal management medical or surgical interventions. Many otolaryngologists continue to routinely perform mastoidectomy with tympanoplasty, arguing that surgical aeration of the mastoid will improve outcomes by providing a reservoir of air that can buffer pressure changes in the middle ear according to Boyle’s law.

Patients and methods

During the period from December 2013 to October 2017, the mean age was ranging from 20 to 50 years; 25 (62.5%) patients were females, whereas 15 (37.5%) patients were male who were attending the Otorhinolaryngology Department, Al Zahraa University Hospital, with recurrent suppurative otitis media refractory to medical treatment. The 20 patients selected for this study were randomly assigned to undergo tympanoplasty with cortical mastoidectomy (n=20) and tympanoplasty alone (n=20).

Results

The factors that may influence surgery success rates are age, perforation location and size, Eustachian tube conditions, status of the middle-ear mucosa, the type of graft used, and surgeon experience. The primary argument in favor of mastoidectomy has been an improvement in the middle ear and mastoid environment through clearance of the diseased mucosa and through the ventilatory mechanisms of an open mastoid system, as a buffer to the changes in pressure within the middle ear.

Conclusion

There was no additional benefit to performing mastoidectomy with tympanoplasty for uncomplicated perforations. Mastoidectomies were generally performed with a worst disease, as suggested by the presence of extensive inflammation, or a sclerotic middle ear or mastoid.