Tympanoplasty type-1. Endaural or postaural approach. Should the patient decide?
OBJECTIVE
To examine the preferred patient approach to chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) of the safe type.


METHODS
We designed a prospective study to note the variables in the patient's initial choice for approach to CSOM of the safe type at Buraidah Central Hospital, Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia from January 2003 to December 2004.


RESULTS
During the 24-month study period, we included 63 consecutive patients diagnosed with CSOM of the safe type. We excluded patients with perforations associated with cholesteatomata, polyps, and acute infections. We administered a questionnaire discussing the options for the operation, and found most males preferred the endaural approach, and most females preferred the postaural approach.


CONCLUSIONS
There was a significant preference by younger age groups for the postaural approach, especially younger females. They were more concerned about the site, visibility, and cosmetic result from the scar, and could camouflage the scar behind the pinna by hair or a traditional headscarf.
Ahmed
Latifi A
LA
Department of ENT, Buraidah Central Hospital, PO Box 2290, King Fahd Specialist Hospital Complex, Buraidah, Al-Qassim, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. latifiasrar@hotmail.com
Raza
Syed S
SS
D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010035:Otitis Media, Suppurative / Q000601:surgery*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014433:Tympanoplasty / Q000379:methods*