Prediction of hearing outcomes in chronic otitis media patients underwent tympanoplasty using ossiculoplasty outcome parameter staging or middle ear risk indices.

PURPOSE: Ossiculoplasty outcome parameter staging (OOPS) and middle ear risk index (MERI) are the most commonly used indices for predicting prognosis of patients with chronic otitis media (COM). This study aimed to verify the efficiency of OOPS and MERI scores in predicting outcomes of patients with COM who underwent tympanoplasty.

METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients who underwent tympanoplasty (n = 526). OOPS, and MERI scores were collected. Hearing data were measured 1 day preoperatively, and 3 and 12 months postoperatively. Operation success was defined according to the Korean Society of Otology guidelines.

RESULTS: For calculation of success, the ROC values of MERI were 0.551 at 12 months. ROC values of OOPS were 0.637 at 12 months. There were no significant differences in hearing variables among the three groups according to MERI. There were significantly favorable outcomes in hearing variables in the low-risk group in OOPS. The mean OOPS score was greater in patients with success than those with non-success. Otorrhea, ossicle status, and status of mucosa as variables in both indices were associated with success. The type of mastoidectomy as a variable in OOPS alone was associated with success. Absence of hypertension, presence of ossiculoplasty, and use of incus as ossiculoplasty material were associated with poor success rate.

CONCLUSION: Compared with MERI, the OOPS index was more closely associated with the hearing outcomes, which may be due to the extent of inflammation in the OOPS index.