International Union for Circumpolar Health Ministry of Public Health and Social Development of RF Russian Academy of Medical Sciences Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Medical Sciences Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences Medical Polar Fund “Science” The Northern Forum

Abstracts

Public health

Introduction: Otosurgery has not been performed systematically in Greenland despite chronic otitis media (COM) occurs frequently among Greenlanders. The otosurgical treatment of Greenlanders has formerly taken place at Rigshospitalet in DK and mainly complicated cases have been operated. The results of 221 of these operations were examined in 1988. Only 46% showed up for control and the closure rate of these was 39% while 70% had dry ears. Hearing improvement was found in 58%.

Study design and methods: An otosurgical project was established in autumn 1998 in Greenland. A database was developed containing pre- and postoperative variables and follow-up. At present 274 patients have been operated.

Patient characterristics: Two percent had cholesteatoma, 34% had suppurative COM and 61% had dry perforations. Type II and III tympanoplasty were applied in 12% and 4% had a mastoidectomy. 62% had mucosa pathology in the middle ear. The ossicular chain was intact in 70%.

Results: In total 97%, 75% and 54% was followed up at 3 weeks, one year and two year. The closure rate of the tympanic membrane was 67%, 72%, and 76%. Failure was reported in 18%, 23%, and 24%, respectively. After one and two years 73% and 67% claimed to be satisfied with the operation. Being male was associated with higher failure rate. Hearing improvement after three weeks, one year and two years was found in 83%, 78%, and 78%, respectively and hearing improvement greater than 10 dB was found in 62%, 62%, and 54%, respectively. The median hearing gain was 15 dB, 15 dB, and 12 dB. There was a significant association between hearing improvement and closure of the tympanic membrane.

Conclusion: The closure rate and hearing results for followed patients after fly in and fly out otosurgery in Greenland were acceptable. The study provides good evidence of continuing the otosurgical project in Greenland and fly in and fly out surgery for chronic otitis media can be recommended for other populations living in remote areas.

Note. Abstracts are published in author's edition

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Last update: 06-Jul-2012 (11:52:05)