Postinflammatory medial meatal fibrosis: early and late surgical outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the primary and long-term surgical outcomes of patients with postinflammatory medial meatal fibrosis.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted of 14 ears (in 12 patients) with postinflammatory medial meatal fibrosis managed surgically. Outcome measures were primary (i.e. less than six months) and long-term (i.e. greater than five years) closure of the air-bone gap, and the incidence of otorrhoea and restenosis.

RESULTS

At primary review, the mean air-bone gap ± standard deviation had decreased from 29.9 ± 11.6 dB to 12 ± 8.4 dB (p < 0.0006). Seven (50 per cent) ears had closure of the air-bone gap to within 10 dB. However, for the 9 ears receiving long-term review, the mean air-bone gap ± standard deviation increased to 19.3 ± 15.2 dB; there was no significant difference between this result and pre-operative values (p = 0.06). Of the 9 long-term review ears, 3 (33 per cent) showed closure of the air-bone gap to within 10 dB. Recurrent otorrhoea was the most common complication, occurring in 5 of the 9 long-term review ears (56 per cent); in addition, 3 (33 per cent) of these 9 ears developed restenosis.

CONCLUSION

Over time, the success of surgery for postinflammatory medial meatal fibrosis diminishes. This was demonstrated in the present study by progressive post-operative hearing decline and a high prevalence of otorrhoea and restenosis.