A Comparison of quality of life outcomes following different techniques of mastoid surgery

- Background: Mastoid surgery carried out to treat chronic otitis media (COM) can lead to an improvement in objective and subjective measures post-operatively. This study aims to look at the subjective change in quality of life using the Glasgow Benefit Inventory relative to the type of mastoid surgery undertaken. - Method: A retrospective multi-centre postal questionnaire survey of 157 patients who underwent mastoid surgery from 2008-2012. - Results: 83 questionnaire responses were received from patients having the surgery at 3 different hospitals (a response rate of 53%). 57% of patients had a Glasgow benefit Score of 0 indicating no change in quality of life post-operatively. 35% scored +50 indicating a significant improvement. The only significant difference found was that women fare worse after surgery than men. - Conclusions: The choice of mastoid surgery technique should be determined by clinical need and surgeon preference. There is no improvement in quality of life for most patients