Outcomes of canalplasty for chronic obliterative otitis externa.
BACKGROUND
Chronic obliterative otitis externa is a rare cause of conductive hearing loss, characterised by stenosis of the deep ear canal secondary to chronic inflammation. A multitude of canalplasty techniques have been described, with variable success.


METHODS
Fourteen patients undergoing canalplasty performed by the senior author for refractory obliterative otitis externa, over an 8-year period, were included in the study. All underwent split-skin grafting of the denuded canal and meticulous post-operative aural care. Outcome measures included the Glasgow Benefit Inventory and pure tone audiology.


RESULTS
At 3 months post-operatively, the four-tone average threshold had improved by a mean of 13.9 dB (95 per cent confidence interval -9.9 to 37.8 dB; t < 0.001) in the operated ear. The mean Glasgow Benefit Inventory score was 20 (95 per cent confidence interval -2.3 to 42.1).


CONCLUSIONS
Significant improvements in both hearing and quality of life are achievable in patients with end-stage obliterative otitis externa treated surgically. Highly trained and competent aural care practitioners are a prerequisite for the success of the procedure, and a substantial number of patients must be prepared to submit to long-term follow-up care.
ENT Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK. Christian.potter@nhs.net
C P S
CP
Potter
I D
ID
Bottrill
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001309:Auditory Threshold; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004424:Ear Canal / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006314:Hearing Loss, Conductive / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010032:Otitis Externa / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013506:Otologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D016896:Treatment Outcome