Quality of Life Outcomes After Endoscopic Cholesteatoma Surgery: A Prospective Cohort Study

TL;DR

This study shows that endoscopic surgery for cholesteatoma improves patients' quality of life and hearing outcomes effectively.

Contribution

The study provides patient-reported quality of life data after endoscopic cholesteatoma surgery using validated measures.

Findings

Quality of life scores improved significantly from baseline to 12 months post-surgery.

Hearing improved substantially, with a significant reduction in the air-bone gap.

High patient satisfaction scores were maintained at 6 and 12 months post-surgery.

Abstract

Background: Cholesteatoma is a destructive middle ear lesion that compromises hearing and quality of life, for which endoscopic ear surgery (EES) has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative to microscopic approaches. While recurrence and audiological outcomes are frequently reported, patient-centered evaluations using validated patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) remain limited. Objective: This study aimed to assess postoperative quality of life in patients undergoing exclusive endoscopic cholesteatoma surgery, using validated patient-reported outcome measures. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational cohort study in a tertiary referral center, enrolling 41 patients who underwent exclusive endoscopic cholesteatoma surgery over 20 months. Pre- and postoperative QoL was assessed using the Chronic Otitis Media Questionnaire-12 (COMQ-12) and the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI). Results: COMQ-12 scores improved significantly from baseline (54.0 ± 4.2) to 12 months (10.2 ± 3.3; mean difference −43.8, 95% CI: −46.1 to −41.5; p < 0.001). GBI scores were consistently high, increasing from 82.6 ± 4.8 at 6 months to 84.1 ± 4.9 at 12 months (p < 0.001). Audiometric evaluation demonstrated a significant postoperative improvement, with the mean air–bone gap (ABG) decreasing from 52.1 ± 5.3 dB preoperatively to 26.4 ± 4.7 dB postoperatively (p < 0.001), indicating substantial closure of the conductive gap. Conclusions: Exclusive endoscopic cholesteatoma surgery yields robust QoL improvement, favourable hearing outcome, and recurrence rates similar to classic techniques at short-term evaluation.

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