Postoperative bone conduction threshold changes in patients operated on for chronic otitis media--analysis.

BACKGROUND Postoperative hearing improvement is measured as Air-Bone gap changes. Changes in bone conduction threasholds as a results of otosurgery is also discussed. AIM We discuss factors that have influence on bone conduction threasholds changes in individuals operated due to chronic otitis media. MATERIAL AND METHODS The prospective analysis involves the patients operated on middle ear due to chronic infection in the Department of Otolaryngology at the Jagiellonian University of Krakow in the years 2010-2013. 457 otosurgeries were performed in this period of time. RESULTS 293 first time operated on patients with chronic otitis media were analysed. Statistically significant bone conduction improvement was noticed after myringoplasty and in individuals with intact ossicular chain. No bone conduction threasholds improvement was observed with defects to the ossicles. CONCLUSIONS Unchanged mucous lining middle ear spaces and intact ossicular chain are crucial for bone conduction improvement after otosurgery. Scars, especially in round window, are poor prognostic factor for hearing improvement. Cleaning of the middle ear from granulation has an positive influence for bone conduction threasholds changes.