Audit of middle-ear surgery outcomes in a tertiary referral Australian teaching hospital

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to audit middle-ear surgical procedures, provide a record of Australian experiences and allow comparisons with other published audits. Method A retrospective continuous series audit was conducted on 274 patients who underwent tympanoplasty, mastoidectomy and stapedotomy surgery at Westmead Hospital, Sydney. All consecutive surgical procedures, performed by multiple operators at various stages of training but under the care of a single surgeon, were included. Results Graft uptake was 86.9 per cent in tympanoplasty. Well healed cavities were seen in 72 per cent of mastoidectomies. Although 42 per cent of the patients had one or more co-morbidities, this did not influence the outcome. Hearing improvement was dramatic in stapedotomy and minimally changed in mastoidectomy. Post-operative complications were minimal. Conclusion All forms of middle-ear surgery were effective in achieving their surgical goals. Aural discharge and inflammatory diseases were well controlled with tympanoplasty and mastoid surgery.