Role of preoperative air-bone gap in tinnitus outcome after tympanoplasty for chronic otitis media with tinnitus

Publication date: March–April 2018Source: Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology, Volume 84, Issue 2Author(s): Hong Chan Kim, Chul Ho Jang, Young Yoon Kim, Jong Yuap Seong, Sung Hoon Kang, Yong Beom ChoAbstractIntroductionPrevious reports indicated that middle ear surgery might partially improve tinnitus after surgery. However, until now, no influencing factor has been determined for tinnitus outcome after middle ear surgery.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate the association between preoperative air-bone gap and tinnitus outcome after tympanoplasty type I.MethodsSeventy-five patients with tinnitus who had more than 6 months of symptoms of chronic otitis media on the ipsilateral side that were refractory to medical treatment were included in this study. All patients were evaluated through otoendoscopy, pure tone/speech audiometer, questionnaire survey using the visual analog scale and the tinnitus handicap inventory for tinnitus symptoms before and 6 months after tympanoplasty. The influence of preoperative bone conduction, preoperative air-bone-gap, and postoperative air-bone-gap on tinnitus outcome after the operation was investigated.Results and conclusionThe patients were divided into two groups based on preoperative bone conduction of less than 25 dB (n = 50) or more than 25 dB (n = 25). The postoperative improvement of tinnitus in both groups showed statistical significance. Patients whose preoperative air-bone-gap was...
Source: Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology - Category: ENT & OMF Source Type: research