Otologic surgeries in National Ear Care Centre, Kaduna, Nigeria: A 5 years review

Background: Otologic surgeries that endure are based on a detailed knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the temporal bone. Ear surgeries are challenging to most otolaryngologists practicing in Nigeria. The aim was to present a 5 years review of indications, types, complications, success, and limitations of the ear surgeries at the study center. Materials and Methods: A 5 years retrospective review of all the otologic surgeries are done under general and local anesthesia from July, 2009 to July, 2014. Results: There were 1067 patients who had ear, nose, and throat surgeries within the period under review, out of which 68 were ear surgeries. Prevalence was 6.37%, there were 25 (37%) males and 43 (63%) females, male: female 1:1.7. Age ranged from 1 to 58 years, mean age 21 +- 6 years. Chronic suppurative otitis media was the most common diagnosis 39 (57.4%) and indication for tympanoplasty 31 (46.6%). Meatocanaloplasty was the least with 2 (2.9%), mastoidectomy 7 (10.3%), myringotomy and grommet insertion 11 (16.2%), excisional biopsy 7 (10.3%), foreign body removal 4 (5.90%), tympanomastoidectomy 3 (4.40%), and pinnaplasty 3 (4.40%). Forty-one (60.3%) achieved resolution of symptoms while 8 (11.8%) had persistence of symptoms. One (1.5%) had revision surgery. The success rate is about 60.3% within the period under review. Postoperative complications (facial nerve paralysis, persistence discharge from the mastoid cavity, worsened deafness, postauricular fistula) were seen in 14 (20.6%). While 4 (5.9%) were lost to follow-up. Conclusion: Ear surgeries are still underdeveloped when compared to nose and throat surgeries in our center. Complication (chronic suppurative otitis media) was the most common indication for ear surgery. Provision of adequate training facilities, especially in the field of otology and review of the training curriculum for otorhinolaryngology residency in Nigeria is indispensable.