A Novel Surgery Classification for Endoscopic Approaches to Middle Ear Cholesteatoma.

This study aimed to develop a novel surgery classification for an endoscopic approach to middle ear cholesteatoma. We retrospectively analyzed the surgical approaches and outcomes of patients with middle ear cholesteatoma. Middle ear cholesteatoma surgeries were divided into four types and two special types as follows: type I, attic retraction pocket, which only requires tympanostomy tube placement or retraction pocket resection and cartilage reconstruction; type II, cholesteatoma which is limited to the attic or in which endoscopy can confirm complete removal of mastoid cholesteatoma lesions, including type II a, requiring only use of a curette, and type II b, requiring use of an electric drill or chisel; type III, cholesteatoma not limited to the attic, in which endoscopy cannot confirm complete removal of mastoid cholesteatoma lesions, requiring the combined use of endoscope and microscope to perform endoscopic tympanoplasty and "Canal Wall Up" mastoidectomy; type IV, extensive involvement of mastoid cavity cholesteatoma lesions and/or cases with a potential risk of complications, removal of which can only be performed under a microscope for "Canal Wall Down" mastoidectomy. In addition, there were two special types: "difficult external auditory canal" and congenital cholesteatoma in children. In our system, type I and type II middle ear cholesteatoma surgery was completely performed under an endoscope alone. However, estimating the extent of the lesions, determining the choice of mastoid opening and reestablishing ventilation are the key points for an endoscopic approach to middle ear cholesteatoma. The classification of endoscopic middle ear cholesteatoma surgery may benefit the selection of surgical indications.

Classifications of Mastoid and Middle Ear Surgery: A Scoping Review.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this scoping review was to evaluate existing classifications of surgical procedures of the middle ear and mastoid and find a suitable classification that could serve as an international standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Scoping review with a systematic literature search using reference tracking and a syntax including all surgical procedures in mastoid and middle ear surgery and their synonyms. Studies were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. RESULTS: Eleven reported classifications were included; six of which focused on middle ear surgery, two on mastoid surgery, and three on both. However, none of the classifications included all current surgical procedures of mastoid and middle ear surgery. CONCLUSION: Many classifications have been proposed for innumerable surgical techniques in middle ear and mastoid surgery. Some are outdated, some are incomplete, most are not widely accepted, and only few correspond with all current surgical techniques.

International Otology Outcome Group and the International Consensus on the Categorization of Tympanomastoid Surgery.

The International Otology Outcome Group (IOOG) was founded in 2017 to encourage and facilitate international collaboration with regard to the surgical outcome of ear surgery. This report outlines the methodology and recommendations of the consensus-based categorization of tympanomastoid surgery produced by the IOOG. The IOOG Steering Committee used the acronym SAMEO-ATO to categorize tympanomastoid operations, representing the stage of surgery, approach, mastoid bone extirpation, external bony wall repair, obliteration of the mastoid cavity, access to the middle ear, tympanic membrane reconstruction, and ossicular reconstruction. A modified Delphi technique was used to obtain international consensus. The expert panels included the chairpersons from 21 otology societies. The approval rate of the SAMEO-ATO system from the otology societies was 95%. The SAMEO-ATO scheme was presented at the 31st Politizer Meeting for field testing. There were no objections or serious concerns raised. Some international otologists wished to see more surgical categories included to reflect the varieties of surgical techniques, but they accepted that it would make the whole system cumbersome. In addition to providing an international categorization of tympanomastoid surgery, the IOOG Steering Committee plans to introduce a common otology dataset that the international otology community could use to record their surgical outcome. The high level of international consensus on the IOOG categorization of tympanomastoid surgery supports this tool for surgeons to pool their surgical data into a large database for research and comparative audit.

Development and validation of an endoscopic ear surgery classification system.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To design and validate a classification system for endoscopic ear surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Validation study. METHODS: A classification system was devised that quantifies use of the endoscope during middle ear surgery. Otologic operative reports were reviewed by attending surgeons and trainees. A power analysis was performed to determine number of cases needed to review. The following categories were used: class 0 is defined by using the microscope only; class 1 describes the use of endoscope for inspection without dissection; and class 2 describes mixed use of the endoscope and the microscope. It is further subdivided into 2a and 2b, where the endoscope is used for less than 50% of dissection and more than 50% of dissection, respectively. Class 3 describes the use of the endoscope for the entire surgery. Fifty cases were reviewed by three attending otologic surgeons, one resident, and one medical student. RESULTS: Weighted Cohen's Kappa for inter-rater agreement between the two institutional surgeons was 0.79 (95% bias corrected [BC] confidence interval [CI]: 0.58-0.93). Agreement between the external surgeon and the two institutional surgeons was 0.77 (95% BC CI: 0.58-0.89) and 0.76 (95% BC CI: 0.57-0.88). Weighted Kappa between institutional surgeons and a resident was 0.73 (95% BC CI: 0.53-0.88) and 0.62 (95% BC CI: 0.38-0.80), and between institutional surgeons and a medical student was 0.75 (95% BC CI: 0.56-0.89) and 0.70 (95% BC CI: 0.49-0.85). CONCLUSIONS: There was substantial inter-rater agreement. This classification system can be used as a simple and reliable tool to describe the extent to which an endoscope was used during ear surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA. Laryngoscope, 128:967-970, 2018.

Medical Devices; Ear, Nose, and Throat Devices; Classification of the Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilation System. Final order.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is classifying the Eustachian tube balloon dilation system into class II (special controls). The special controls that will apply to the device are identified in this order and will be part of the codified language for the Eustachian tube balloon dilation system's classification. The Agency is classifying the device into class II (special controls) in order to provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness of the device.

A standardized database management of middle ear surgery in Korea.

CONCLUSION: The classification and hearing result reporting system of middle ear surgery provide a set of standard that otologic surgeons should comply with when they investigate the efficacy of procedures or report the post-operative results of middle ear surgery. Keeping up with this system will, in turn, facilitate and activate the evidence-based clinical research they would ask for. OBJECTIVES: The aims of the project were to establish the standardized classification nomenclature, to propose a guideline for the post-operative result reporting system, and to develop a database management program for middle ear surgery. METHODS: Nine otologic surgeons from seven university hospitals in Korea carried out a field survey on the nation-wide status of middle ear surgery and its records, and also collected the information regarding international classification and result reporting system from 2001 through 2004. To make a consensus, it also underwent a process of public audit and, a questionnaire investigation, as well. RESULTS: The classification of surgery consisted of four kinds of procedures of mastoidectomy, tympanoplasty, extraneous procedures, and concurrent procedures. Post-operative hearing result reporting consisted of basic requirement and reporting guidelines of hearing success. The basic requirements stated minimum follow up duration, and computing formulae of pure tone average (PTA) and post-operative air bone gap (ABG). The reporting guidelines included criteria of hearing success (Post-operative ABG or=15 dB, or hearing level