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Is simultaneous bilateral mastoidectomy ever advisable?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2007

J J Klemens ,
E Mhoon  and
M Redleaf
J J Klemens
Affiliation:
Section of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
E Mhoon
Affiliation:
Section of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
M Redleaf*
Affiliation:
Section of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Miriam Redleaf, Section of Otolaryngology, Dept of Surgery, University of Chicago Hospitals, 5841 South Maryland Ave MC 1035, Chicago, IL 60637-1035, USA. Fax: (773) 702 6809, E-mail: mredleaf@surgery.bsd.uchicago.edu
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Abstract

Introduction:

We report our experience with bilateral, simultaneous tympanomastoidectomies and the results of an opinion survey of otologists.

Methods:

A chart review of 116 tympanomastoidectomies revealed 12 patients who underwent bilateral, simultaneous tympanomastoidectomies. An opinion survey generated 121 responses.

Results:

Of the 12 patients, none suffered any outcome which would have been avoided by staging the procedures. Twenty-three of 24 operated ears had the same or better hearing post-operatively. Of the survey respondents, 74 felt that performing bilateral, simultaneous tympanomastoidectomies was unsafe, largely because of the risk of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

Discussion:

Although bilateral, simultaneous tympanomastoidectomies carry double the risk of unilateral sensorineural hearing loss, compared with the unilateral procedure, the risk of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is only 0.006–0.2 per cent, as derived mathematically from historical data. Respondents to the survey were mostly opposed to bilateral, simultaneous tympanomastoidectomies, but even those opposed gave indications for simultaneous procedures. This finding probably reflects an ambivalence about the theoretical risks of the operation versus the potential patient benefits. A decision tree for proceeding to the second case is presented.

Keywords

Otologic Surgical ProceduresEar, MiddleCholesteatoma, Middle Ear
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 121 , Issue 11 , November 2007 , pp. 1041 - 1047
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2007

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