Quality-of-life assessment after primary and revision ear surgery using the chronic ear survey.
OBJECTIVE
To measure subjective outcomes after primary and revision surgery for chronic ear disease.


METHODS
Prospective questionnaire-based outcome study.


METHODS
Tertiary referral center.


METHODS
Adults with chronic otitis media with or without cholesteatoma.


METHODS
Primary or revision surgery for chronic ear disease.


METHODS
The Chronic Ear Survey, a disease-specific outcome survey, was administered preoperatively and at 1 year after surgery. We analyzed the total score and the activity restriction, symptom, and medical resource utilization subscale scores. Scores were averaged on the basis of the number of questions included in each category. Differences in preoperative and postoperative scores were analyzed within and between the 2 groups. We also assessed audiometry, postoperative complications, and the clinical condition of the operated-on ear.


RESULTS
Twenty-one patients were enrolled in the primary surgery group, and 20 were enrolled in the revision surgery group. Significant improvements in the total score and each subscale score were observed in both groups at the 1-year postoperative survey. Improvements in the total score and symptom subscale scores were greater in the primary surgery group than in the revision surgery group (P < .05). The air conduction thresholds and any postoperative clinical problems were correlated with the total score and subscale scores in the primary group but not in the revision surgery group.


CONCLUSIONS
Comparable objective outcomes are achieved after primary and revision surgery for chronic ear disease, but the improvement in quality of life is greater in the primary surgery group.
Jung
Kyu Hwan
KH
Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Cho
Yang-Sun
YS
Hong
Sung Hwa
SH
Chung
Won-Ho
WH
Lee
Gil Joon
GJ
Hong
Sang Duk
SD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018424:Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004429:Ear Ossicles / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008416:Mastoid / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012086:Reoperation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014433:Tympanoplasty