[Temporary sensory hearing deficits after ear surgery--a retrospective analysis].
BACKGROUND
Temporary and persistent threshold shifts can occur after ear surgery. So far, only few studies deal with temporary sensory hearing deficits after ear surgery.


METHODS
In a retrospective study, thresholds at 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz and 4000 Hz were analysed in 393 patients (125 x mesotympanal chronic otitis media, 164 x cholesteatoma, 44 x tympanosclerosis, 60 x otosclerosis) before, the first 4 days and 3 weeks after ear surgery to evaluate possible temporary threshold shifts.


RESULTS
Analysis of all patients in total proved statistically significant slight temporary threshold shifts of up to 7 dB at 2000 Hz (postoperative day 1 to 3) and at 4000 Hz (postoperative day 1 and 2). Use of a drill caused a statistically slight temporary threshold shift only at 2000 Hz at the first postoperative day (4.2 dB). In cholesteatoma surgery with preparations at the ossicular chain a statistically significant slightly higher threshold level was found in all postsurgical evaluations at 500 Hz. Removal of scars or granulation tissue attached to the ossicular chain was not associated with an elevation of threshold levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Slight temporary threshold shifts can be observed at 2000 Hz and 4000 Hz after ear surgery. Use of the drill and preparation at the ossicular chain usually results in no significant sensory hearing deficit.
Schick
B
B
Hals-Nasen-Ohrenklinik, Kopf- und Halschirurgie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg.
Schick
B T
BT
Kochannek
S
S
Starlinger
V
V
Iro
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001309:Auditory Threshold; D001844:Bone Conduction; D002648:Child; D018424:Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear / Q000601:surgery; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008416:Mastoid / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000601:surgery; D013506:Otologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010040:Otosclerosis / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013201:Stapes Surgery; D013997:Time Factors; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000209:etiology; D014433:Tympanoplasty