INCIDENCE OF SECRETORY OTITIS-MEDIA FOLLOWING MAXILLECTOMY

Objective. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the inci dence and characteristics of secretory otitis media after maxillectomy procedures. Study design. Retrospective chart analysis was performed with the cases of 49 patients who underwent maxillectomy for tumor in the Departments of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Oral and M axillofacial Surgery between the years 1990 and 1996. Results. In 10 p atients (20%), secretory otitis media manifested itself from 1 week to 6 months after surgery; 1 patient developed a central perforation wit h chronic otitis media. Nearly one third of patients who underwent tot al maxillectomy had secretory otitis media. Six patients (8 ears) requ ired insertion of ventilation tubes. Conclusions. Patients undergoing total and partial maxillectomies are prone to occurrences of secretory otitis media. Insertion of ventilation tubes easily resolves the prob lem. Preoperative and routine postoperative patient follow-up should a lways include otoscopy and audiometry, and tympanometry should be perf ormed when warranted.