Computerized documentation in middle ear surgery. Methods and clinical experiences.

A computerized system for recording results of ear surgery is presented. Specially designed forms are filled in at the time of operation as well as 2 months, 6 months and annually for 1-5 years after operation. The data are processed in a Univac 1100-80 by specific programmes written in FORTRAN. A Follow-up programme gives up-to-date information on hearing and healing after different types of operations. An Annual Production Control programme gives more detailed information about various correlations, such as results in draining ears, frequency of residual cholesteatoma etc. Four years experience with the system and obtainable data is discussed.