OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of surgery for ear canal exostoses and osteomata on patients' health-related quality of life because the literature suggests that surgery cannot achieve excellent symptom control in all cases and has a considerable complication rate. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective data collection. SETTING: Germany's largest university clinic for otorhinolaryngology and head and neck surgery. PATIENTS: Thirty-nine patients having received surgery for ear canal exostoses and osteomata. METHODS: Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI), a retrospective questionnaire well validated for measuring the effect of otorhinolaryngologic interventions on the health-related quality of life. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: GBI total scores and subscores. RESULTS: Thirty of the 39 patients returned a valid questionnaire (return rate, 76.9%). The mean total GBI score was 14.6 (p < 0.001), suggesting a benefit from the operation. In contrast to the general subscale score (mean, 21.0; p < 0.001), the mean physical health score and the mean social support score were not significantly increased. Of all patients, 83.3% had a total GBI score higher than 0, indicating a benefit from the operation. In 90% of the cases, patients were satisfied with the result of the operation, and 86.7% would again decide in favor of the operation. Most patients preoperatively experienced hearing loss, wax retention and recurrent otitis externa. Postoperatively, 70% of the patients were free of any complaints. The patients not satisfied were the only patients with negative GBI scores in the whole patient collective, and all had had complications from surgery. CONCLUSION: Surgery for ear canal exostoses and osteomata can significantly improve patients' health-related quality of life and leads to a high rate of patient satisfaction. Postoperative complications are the most important factor for a negative impact on the patient's health-related quality of life. Therefore, in the authors' opinion, only patients with symptoms should have surgery.
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of surgery for ear canal exostoses and osteomata on patients' health-related quality of life because the literature suggests that surgery cannot achieve excellent symptom control in all cases and has a considerable complication rate. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective data collection. SETTING: Germany's largest university clinic for otorhinolaryngology and head and neck surgery. PATIENTS: Thirty-nine patients having received surgery for ear canal exostoses and osteomata. METHODS: Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI), a retrospective questionnaire well validated for measuring the effect of otorhinolaryngologic interventions on the health-related quality of life. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: GBI total scores and subscores. RESULTS: Thirty of the 39 patients returned a valid questionnaire (return rate, 76.9%). The mean total GBI score was 14.6 (p < 0.001), suggesting a benefit from the operation. In contrast to the general subscale score (mean, 21.0; p < 0.001), the mean physical health score and the mean social support score were not significantly increased. Of all patients, 83.3% had a total GBI score higher than 0, indicating a benefit from the operation. In 90% of the cases, patients were satisfied with the result of the operation, and 86.7% would again decide in favor of the operation. Most patients preoperatively experienced hearing loss, wax retention and recurrent otitis externa. Postoperatively, 70% of the patients were free of any complaints. The patients not satisfied were the only patients with negative GBI scores in the whole patient collective, and all had had complications from surgery. CONCLUSION: Surgery for ear canal exostoses and osteomata can significantly improve patients' health-related quality of life and leads to a high rate of patient satisfaction. Postoperative complications are the most important factor for a negative impact on the patient's health-related quality of life. Therefore, in the authors' opinion, only patients with symptoms should have surgery.