BackgroundA mastoid cavity resulting from a canal wall down mastoidectomy can result in major morbidity for patients due to chronic otorrhea and infection, difficulty with hearing aids and vertigo with temperature changes. Mastoid obliteration with reconstruction of the bony external ear canal recreates the normal anatomy to avoid such morbidity. Few have the studied the quality of life benefit that this procedure confers.MethodsThis retrospective observational study was conducted to determine if mastoid obliteration with autologous cranial bone graft following mastoidectomy improves quality of life (QOL). Patients with cholesteatoma who had mastoidectomy with primary or secondary mastoid obliteration by a tertiary otologist were surveyed using the validated Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI), our primary outcome measure.ResultsFifty-eight patients were interviewed. Forty-six were primary obliteration after canal wall down mastoidectomy of a primary cholesteatoma. Twelve were secondary obliteration of an existing canal wall down mastoid cavity. Overall GBI scores were improved, with average scores of 22. Average general subscale scores were 23, physical health scores were 25, and social health scores were 22. The primary obliteration group had average scores of 19, general subscale scores of 20, physical health scores of 21, and social health scores of 22. Those with secondary obliteration scored higher, with average scores of 31, general subscale scores of 34, physical health scores of 39, and social health scores of 25.ConclusionThis study shows that mastoidectomy with obliteration using autologous cranial bone graft offers a significant QOL benefit. The GBI scores compare favourably with other otorhinolaryngology procedures. Secondary obliterations after revision mastoidectomy scored much higher than primary obliterations. This is currently the only QOL study comparing these two patient groups.

P221Results: There were 62 intracanalicular (IC) tumors, mean size of 8mm, and 102 CPA VS, mean size of 11mm. One third of patients managed conservatively showed evidence of growth and 50% showed no change (IC > CPA). Twenty percent reduced in size (CPA > IC). Two-thirds of the VS showing growth stabilized or regressed over time. Audiometry was not found to be a useful tool to predict growth but interval MRI scans were. The quality of life of the VS group managed conservatively was found to be comparable across all domains of the short-form 36 (SF-36) with an age and sex match control group.Conclusions: All asymptomatic patients and symptomatic ones with a VS size of <30 mm should initially be offered conservative management with interval imaging.

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