Objective: To evaluate the results of bilateral same-day surgery for bilateral perforated chronic otitis media in comparison with our previous report.
Study design: Prospective study.
Patients: Seventeen patients ranging in age from 5 to 70 years (mean, 52.5 yr), with bilateral perforated chronic otitis media.
Methods: Two hundred cases of chronic otitis media were operated on at the Department of Otolaryngology, Hyogo College of Medicine from December 1998 to November 2002. Fifty-nine patients (29.5%) had bilateral disease and 17 patients (8.5%) underwent bilateral same-day surgery.
Results: The postoperative air-bone gap was less than 10 dB on both sides in 5 of 17 (29%) and less than 20 dB in 15 of 17 (88%). The postoperative hearing level was less than 20 dB in both ears in 4 of 17 (24%), less than 30 dB in 7 of 17 (41%), and less than 40 dB in 10 of 17 (59%). The rate of closure of the ear drum was 20 of 22 (91%) in the simple underlay myringoplasty series and 9 of 12 (75%) in the conventional myringoplasty/tympanoplasty series. The rate of closure of the ear drum on both sides was successful in 4 of 5 (80%) that underwent simple underlay myringoplasty/simple underlay myringoplasty and 8 of 12 (67%) that underwent simple underlay myringoplasty/conventional myringoplasty/tympanoplasty, whereas that on at least one side was successful in 100%.
Conclusion: Bilateral same-day surgery for bilateral perforated chronic otitis media is possible if operative indications are considered. Furthermore, it will help patients save time and money.