OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the initial and longer ter
m success of closing the air-bone gap (ABG) to 20 dB in ossiculoplasty with
canal wall down mastoidectomy.
METHODS: This study was conducted at a private otologic practice. Patients
included those who underwent ossiculoplasty from 1989 to 1996 with canal wa
ll down mastoidectomy, whether primary or revision (33 from a total of 387
tympanomastoidectomies), Outcome measures included ABG closure, long-term h
earing stability, mastoid appearance, extrusion, and sensorineural hearing
loss.
RESULTS: Almost 64% of ABGs were closed to within 20 dB. The mean pure-tone
average improvement was 12.3 dB. The mean PTA hearing decline in the years
after surgery was slightly less than 1 dB/year.
CONCLUSION: Hearing improvement with a stable long-term hearing result is p
ossible with canal wall down mastoidectomy. The potential for hearing gain
is greatest for patients having larger preoperative ABGs.