INTRA-OPERATIVE OSSICULAR CHAIN FINDINGS IN CHRONIC OTITIS MEDIA MUCOSAL INACTIVE TYPE

Background: Chronic Otitis Media is the chronic inflammation of the middle ear cleft and is broadly divided into mucosal and squamous types. Chronic otitis media often results in partial or total loss of the tympanic membrane and ossicles leading to conductive hearing loss that can be as severe as 60 decibels. The objective of this study was to find out the status of the ossicles in patients diagnosed with chronic otitis media mucosal inactive type undergoing type I tympanoplasty. Methods: This observational study was conducted in the Department of ENT-HNS, NMCTH from September 2017 to August 2018. A total of 53 patients with chronic otitis media mucosal inactive were included in the study. All the details required were noted in an especially prepared proforma after history taking and adequate physical examination. The status of the ossicular chain was assessed during the surgery. Results: A total of 53 patients were included in the study. There were more female patients (58.5%) than male (41.5%) patients. Hearing loss was observed in 52 (98%) of the patients. The majority of the patients had a mild degree of hearing loss (60.4%). The mean of the pre-operative air-conduction threshold and air-bone gap were 39.81 dB and 28.70 dB respectively. Intra-operative ossicular chain lesions were found in 18(34%) and the most common ossicular chain lesions was erosion of incus 8(44.4%). Conclusions: This study shows that ossicular chain lesions are the common intraoperative finding of chronic otitis media during tympanoplasties, with an erosion of the incus being the commonest lesion.