Clinical Characteristics of Patients With Papilloma in the External Auditory Canal.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the clinical characteristics of papilloma involving the external auditory canal (PEAC) in a region of China. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. METHODS: Demographics, manifestations, imaging results, histopathology, and treatment of 67 patients diagnosed with PEAC in a period of 6 years were analyzed at Shanghai Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital in China. RESULTS: PEAC were encountered in patients between the ages of 12 and 82 years (mean 53.8 years). It was more prevalent in men (82%) than in women (18%) (P < .05). The clinical presentation was usually a mass in EAC, aural fullness, and hearing loss. Otoscopic and radiological examination were used together for initial diagnosis and pretreatment planning. Unilateral involvement was more common than bilateral involvement (P < .05). The average time between onset of first symptom and surgical resection and/or biopsy was 6.5 months (range, 0.25-60 months). All patients underwent gross total resection. In 5 patients, (7.5%) carcinoma was detected in the specimen. Fifteen patients (22%) had recurrence; recurrent tumors were detected after an average period of 10 months after surgery (range, 4-24 months). CONCLUSION: PEAC is largely a benign lesion with a low risk of malignancy. Optimal management is via gross total resection. However, the risk of recurrence is high, which motivates a need for long-term monitoring. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 131:1132-1137, 2021.

Coronavirus Disease-19 and Otology/Neurotology.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2, responsible for the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, has caused unprecedented changes to society as we know it. The effects have been particularly palpable in the practice of medicine. The field of otolaryngology has not been spared. We have had to significantly alter the way we provide care to patients, changes that are likely to become a new norm for the foreseeable future. This article highlights some of the changes as they apply to otology/neurotology. Although this is written from the perspective of an academic physician, it is also applicable to private practice colleagues.

A Rare Case of Bifurcated Chorda Tympani.

Preservation of the chorda tympani is important in middle ear surgery to prevent dysgeusia postoperatively. However, determining the exact course of the chorda tympani before surgery is not always possible, especially in cases with accompanying malformations. In this report, we presented an extremely rare case of bifurcation of the chorda tympani in a 15-year-old male patient. We performed tympanoplasty for a middle ear malformation with conductive hearing loss. During the operation, we noticed and carefully preserved the bifurcated chorda tympani. The patient did not develop dysgeusia postoperatively. Appropriate handling and understanding of the anomalous chorda tympani preserved the patient's sense of taste and hence quality of life.

How effect is educational counseling prior to middle ear surgery for patients with both middle ear diseases and consistent tinnitus?

Background: The management of patients with tinnitus who receive middle ear surgery has not been established.Aims: The aim of this study is (1) how many patients who receive middle ear surgery have tinnitus and (2) how educational counselling and middle ear surgery is effective with consistent tinnitus.Subjects and methods: Twenty four cases out of 90 cases accounted for 26.7% of the middle ear diseases scheduled for surgery in the past two years. Of the 42 patients with hearing loss in the second year, 14 had consistent and intermittent tinnitus. Among them we have 6 patients complaining consistent tinnitus and we examined the change in the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) for patients with tinnitus before and after surgery.Results: Ten out of 13 cases (about 76.9%) reported that postoperative tinnitus improved. THI score in two cases showed worse.Conclusions and significance: Two cases showed worse THI in both mixed hearing loss cases with a small hearing improvement. The mechanism of improvement is similar to tinnitus retraining therapy including hearing aid because the increase in external sound input through hearing restoration after surgery to avoid silence.

Larger tumor size and female gender suggest better tinnitus prognosis after surgical treatment in vestibular schwannoma patients with tinnitus.

Background: Tinnitus is a subjective auditory phantom phenomenon which can be highly distressing. About 63%-75% vestibular schwannoma (VS) had a symptom of tinnitus.Objectives: To investigate the tinnitus maintenance mechanism from the view of tinnitus change after surgical treatment in VS patients.Material and methods: We conducted a retrospective study of VS patients with tinnitus from August 2008 to February 2019 and did follow-ups on their changes of tinnitus after surgery.Results: Among 298 VS cases, 201 of them had tinnitus symptom (67.4%). No statistical difference in the surgical approach was found between the tinnitus poor outcome and good outcome groups (p = .14), and statistical difference was found in gender (p = .04) and tumor size (p = .01) between the two groups. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that gender (odds ratio [OR], 2.12; 95% CI, 1.10-4.08 [p = .03]) and tumor size (OR, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.16-4.24 [p = .02]) emerged as a significant and independent factor associated with the good outcome of tinnitus.Conclusions and significance: The results of this study confirmed that the cochlear nucleus of the brainstem and above part of the brainstem may play an important role in the maintenance of tinnitus.

Employment status of young otorhinolaryngologists in Finland during a 10-year period.

We determined the employment status of recently graduated otorhinolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons (ENT doctors) in Finland during the past 10 years. We also investigated the job vacancy rate of the Departments of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (Department of ORL-HNS). An electronic questionnaire was sent to all ENT doctors who had graduated during 2007-2017 and to chief physicians of all Departments of ORL-HNS. Chi-square and Fisher's test were used in the analyses. Altogether 129 ENT doctors had graduated and 125 (96.9%) responded. Thirty (24%) physicians had been employed in a position that did not correspond to their ENT doctor training. All 30 chief physicians responded and a total of 306 physicians were working at their departments (215 ENT doctors, 91 residents). However, there were only 241 available positions (197 for ENT doctors, 44 for residents). It was estimated that 65 ENT doctors would retire within 10 years. At the moment there does not seem to be a significant shortage of ENT doctors in Finland. The current national volume of resident intake in the ENT training programme is twofold in comparison with the estimated retirement rate in the public sector.

Clinical Characteristics of External Auditory Canal Foreign Bodies in Children and Adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: Foreign bodies (FBs) in external auditory canal (EAC) can occur at any age but are especially common in children and adolescents. The aims of the study were to evaluate the clinical characteristics of EAC FBs in children and adolescents and to discuss their proper management. METHODS: A retrospective medical chart review was performed on patients who were treated for EAC FBs in a tertiary referral center from January 2007 to December 2017. We investigated the parameters of age, sex, type of FB, sedation method, complications, and removal strategy. RESULTS: Of 284 patients, 176 (62.0%) were male. Peak incidences were noted at the ages of 3 to 6 years and 17 to 18 years. The frequently observed FBs were insects, followed by air-gun pellets, cotton balls, marbles, and earrings. Forty-one (14.4%) EAC FBs were removed with the naked eye, while 243 (85.6%) were removed under microscope in the otolaryngology department. Of these patients, 23 (9.5%) were administered sedatives and 1 (4.1%) needed general anesthesia. During or after the removal procedure, 4 (15.5%) patients had complications of EAC abrasion or laceration (42, 14.8%), and tympanic membrane perforation (2, 0.7%). CONCLUSIONS: External auditory canal FB showed a distinct characteristic of incidence regarding age, related to removal strategies. Characteristics of FB must be considered for safe removal.

Day-surgery in otology: Impact study of a dedicated organizational model.

AIM: Day surgery (DS) in otology in France is insufficiently implemented compared to other countries of comparable socio-economic level. The aim of the present study was to evaluate changes in surgical practice in "major otology" cases in a hospital center after launching a dedicated ENT DS unit. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This new unit, designed in collaboration with the surgeons, was inaugurated in 2014. Number of procedures, patient demographics, surgery durations, and rates of crossover from DS to conventional management were recorded prospectively for the year before and the year after the launch. All otologic surgery procedures with at least tympanomeatal flap elevation were included; minor surgeries such as grommet insertion were excluded. RESULTS: Between the two time periods, major otology day cases increased from 106 to 153 procedures (+43%). In 2013, the DS rate was 27%, versus 56% in 2015. Otosclerosis surgeries represented 7% in 2013 and 15% in 2015, and type II and III tympanoplasties 3% and 24% respectively. Difference in patient age between DS and conventional surgery was lower in 2015. Crossover rates were 10% in 2013 and 21% in 2015, mainly due to nausea/vertigo (56%) and surgery ending too late in the day (33%). CONCLUSION: Major otologic cases are suitable for DS. Launching this dedicated unit with its specific organization enabled a very significant increase in DS rates, probably due to greater patient satisfaction and surgeons' growing confidence. The main pitfall was in scheduling, with surgery ending too late in the day for discharge home; this has since been corrected.

[Balloon dilation oft the Eustachian tube in tympanic membrane retraction]. / Stellenwert der Tubendilatation bei Mittelohradhäsivprozess.

OBJECTIVE: A tube dysfunction is a common medical issue and can promote chronic otitis media. With the implementation of the Balloon dilation a treatment of the chronic tube dysfunction was set. In the present study significance of this method was assessed, especially questioning the success in practical terms of tympanic membrane retraction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a retrospective study, in a period of assessment from 2011 until 2016, the data of 81 patients, who underwent Balloon dilation of the Eustachian tube due to chronic tube dysfunction with regard to a preoperative presence of tympanic membrane retraction were evaluated. The success of the Balloon dilation was judged due to the capability of a postoperative SVT- Test and the patients' self-assessment. With an average postoperative period of four months, the data of 13 patients were analyzed based on presence of pre- and postoperative tympanic membrane retraction. RESULTS: The treatment occurred at all cases without complications. In patients with chronic tube dysfunction the method revealed an improvement of 46 %, while 31 % of the patients with tympanic membrane retraction showed an improvement of the middle ear ventilation. Subjectively perceived 54 % of the patients marked an improvement of their clinical symptoms. CONCLUSION: In spite of a self-assessed improvement in 54 % only 31 % of the patients with chronic membrane retraction showed an objectively measurable success. To evaluate the question if combination with other middle ear surgeries shows better results, further studies, including more patients and data, are required.

High-Density Otologic Camps in Regions of Sparse Expertise.

Aims/Purpose: When 2 models of otologic surgery instruction in Ethiopia are compared, high-density otologic surgery campaigns are more effective for accelerated skills transfer in areas of sparse expertise than the standard outpatient clinic/OR model. METHODS: A continuously operating otolaryngology/head and neck surgery department in a large public hospital is compared with a nonprofit specialty hospital where outpatients are selected for weeklong surgical campaigns. The number and variety of otologic visits and operations in each setting, presence of expert supervision, and resident-trainees' surgical progress were tallied. RESULTS: The public hospital saw 84 otologic operations in 1 full year. Meanwhile, the ear specialty surgical campaign site saw 185 otologic operations in 6 surgical campaign weeks. All operations at both sites were performed primarily by trainees. Experienced otologists supervised 40% of operations at the public hospital and 100% at the surgical campaign site. At the end of the year, none of the 10 resident-trainees in the public hospital were able to perform a simple underlay tympanoplasty, compared to 6 of 12 resident-trainees in the campaign setting. CONCLUSIONS: Where otologic expertise is sparse, otologic surgical campaigns allow the most effective use of resources-patient pathology, medical facilities, trainee attendance, and imported instructors.

Long-term results of atresiaplasty in patients with congenital aural atresia.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate long-term benefits of atresiaplasty on hearing and the impact of surgery on quality of life (QoL) in congenital aural atresia (CAA) patients. METHODS: We evaluated the long-term hearing results, the impact of atresiaplasty on QoL, the meatal diameter of the operated ear canal, and the cumulative number of post-operative hospital visits in 14 CAA patients, on average, 12 years (range: 4-17 years) post-operatively. RESULTS: The mean preoperative pure tone average (PTA) was 61 dB HL. The postoperative short-term PTA was 36 dB HL and the long-term PTA was 51 dB HL. The mean total Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) score was 16 (range: -11-39), showing the positive benefit of atresiaplasty on QoL. The mean postoperative diameter of the auditory meatus was 6 mm. The average number of hospital outpatient visits during the first postoperative year was 10. CONCLUSION: Surgery for CAA is a demanding operation with variable anatomical and hearing outcomes. Atresiaplasty operations should be centralized to hospitals with large numbers of such patients to ensure sufficient levels of surgical experience. Bone-anchored hearing devices or middle-ear implants should be considered as a first-line option because they offer good hearing predictability.

Cholesteatoma surgery with the canal wall up technique combined with mastoid obliteration: results from primary surgery in 230 consecutive cases.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the canal wall up (CWU) technique combined with mastoid obliteration used in cholesteatoma surgery from the aspects of safety and function. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. Information was extracted from a medical database and complementary data from patient files and audiograms were collected and recorded retrospectively. SETTING: A tertiary-stage hospital and a secondary-stage hospital. Surgeons of various levels of experience. METHOD: Data from a consecutive group of 230 primary operations for cholesteatoma surgery using CWU with obliteration employing the combined approach tympanoplasty (CAT) technique, from January 1994 to December 2009 were analyzed. RESULTS: In 90% of the ears, the anatomy was normalized with an intact ear drum. The frequency of residual cholesteatoma was 1% and the frequency of recurrent cholesteatoma 8%. Hearing was improved one year postoperatively and remained improved three years postoperatively. No patient suffered a total hearing loss. CONCLUSIONS: CWU procedure comprising CAT with obliteration of the mastoid is a safe surgical method with a low frequency of residual and recurrent disease and a good hearing preservation.

Iatrogenic patient injuries in otology during a 10-year period: review of national patient insurance charts.

OBJECTIVE: To assess patient injury characteristics and contributing factors in otology. METHODS: Data on the accepted patient-injury claims involving otorhinolaryngology (ORL), closed between 2001 and 2011, from the Finnish Patient Insurance Centre registry was retrieved. We included all injuries concerning otology, with evaluation and classification of their causes and types. RESULTS: During the 10-year study period, a total of 44 claims were accepted as compensated patient injuries in otology. From a total of 233 patient injuries in all ORL, this amounted to 19%. In outpatient care, occurred 12 (27%) injuries and in surgical procedures 32 (73%). Five (11%) patients were children. Errors in surgical technique were identified as the primary cause of the injury in 22 (69%) operation-related cases. Failure to remove all auricular tampons or packing in postoperative control was a contributing factor in 4 (13%) injuries, a facial nerve was damaged in 9 (28%) operations, and in 12 (38%) patients, the injury resulted in severe hearing loss or deafness. Six patients (21%) needed one or more re-operations related to the injury, of which two were due to an incomplete primary operation. CONCLUSION: Typical compensated patient injuries in operative otology resulted from common complications of common operations in high volume centres.

Extending otology services to rural settings: Value of endoscopic ear surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Few centers, mainly located in urban settings offer otological surgical services, yet majority of patients requiring these services are rural based and are generally unable to access these centers with resulting disease chronicity and complications. This paper aims to describe the access of otological surgical services by a rural population. METHODOLOGY: This is a retrospective study of patients who accessed otological services at three secondary health institutions and one tertiary referral institution. All patients requiring ear surgery over a 4-year period were studied. The initial 2 years without ear endoscopic surgery was compared with the 2 years when ear endoscopic surgery was introduced. Hospital records were studied and relevant data were extracted. RESULTS: Six hundred and nine ears required surgery over 4 years. Age ranged from 3 to 62 years, with a ratio of 1.4 males: 1 female. During the initial 2 years, all patients were referred from the three secondary health institutions to the urban-based tertiary institution for microscopic ear surgery, 94% failed to proceed on the referral. In the second 2 years, 34% were considered suitable for endoscopic ear surgery, of which 78% accepted and had surgery within the locality. Of the 66% referred, only 5% proceeded on the referral. CONCLUSION: With operator training and investment in portable ear endoscopy set, bulk of ear surgery needing magnification can be treated in the rural setting. This represents a most feasible means of extending the service to the targeted population.

Triple semicircular canal plugging: a novel modality for the treatment of intractable Meniere's disease.

CONCLUSIONS: TSCP, which can reduce vertiginous symptoms in patients with intractable MD, represents an effective therapy for this disorder. OBJECTIVE: To explore the long-term efficacy of triple semicircular canal plugging (TSCP) in the treatment of intractable Meniere's disease (MD). METHODS: Seventy-nine patients diagnosed with unilateral MD referred to a vertigo clinic of the hospital between December 2010 and December 2013 were included in this study for retrospective analysis. TSCP was performed in the affected ear for each patient. Vertigo control and auditory function were measured. Pure tone audiometry, caloric test, and cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) were performed in 2-year follow-up. Thirty-six MD patients, who accepted endolymphatic sac decompression (ESD) operation were selected as a comparison group. RESULTS: The total control rate of vertigo in the TSCP group was 98.7% in the 2-year follow-up, with a complete control rate of 81.0% and substantial control rate of 17.7%. The rate of hearing preservation was 70.9%. The total control rate of vertigo in the ESD operation group was 72.2%. The vertigo control rate of TSCP was significantly higher than that of ESD operation. Twenty-four months after treatment, canal paresis was found in the operation side of all patients of TSCP by means of caloric test.

Endoscopic ear surgery in Canada: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic ear surgery is an emerging technique with recent literature highlighting advantages over the traditional microscopic approach. This study aims to characterize the current status of endoscopic ear surgery in Canada and better understand the beliefs and concerns of the otolaryngology - head & neck surgery community regarding this technique. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey study of Canadian otolaryngologists was performed. Members of the Canadian Society of Otolaryngology were contacted though an online survey carried out in 2015. RESULTS: The majority of participants in this study (70%) used an endoscope in their practice, with a large proportion utilizing the endoscope for cholesteatoma or tympanoplasty surgery. To date, 38 Canadian otolaryngologists (70% of respondents) have used an endoscope for at least 1 surgical case, but only 6 (11%) have performed more than 50 endoscopic cases. Of the otolaryngologists who use endoscopes regularly, the majority still use the microscope as their primary instrument and use the endoscope only as an adjunct during surgery. However, the general attitude surrounding endoscopes is positive; 81% believe that endoscopes have a role to play in the future of ear surgery and 53% indicated they were likely to use endoscopes in their future practice. Participants who were earlier in their practice or who had more exposure to endoscopic techniques in their career were more likely to have a positive stance towards endoscopic ear surgery (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, respectively). The main concern regarding endoscopic ear surgery was the technical challenge of one-handed surgery, while the primary perceived advantage was the reduced rates of residual or recurrent disease. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic ear surgery is a new technique that is gaining momentum in Canada and there is enthusiasm for its incorporation into future practice. Further investment in training courses and guidance for those looking to start or advance the use of endoscopes in their practice will be vital in the years to come.

Chronic otitis media surgery and re-operation risk factor analysis: A nationwide retrospective cohort study of 18 895 patients.

CONCLUSION: Patients with risk factors including younger age, mastoiditis, external ear disease, treatment by older surgeons, and concomitant mastoidectomy should receive detailed management to minimize the probability of re-operation for chronic otitis media (COM). OBJECTIVES: Although COM remains a common ear disease requiring surgical intervention, its re-operation risks are less well-documented. This study aimed to compare patients with COM who underwent re-operation and those patients with no re-operation, and identify the risks of re-operation. METHOD: This retrospective cohort study analyzed the trend of COM surgery from 1999-2009, and identified the re-operation risks of 18 895 patients with COM who underwent surgery from 2002-2006 using the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. RESULTS: Among the study population, 129 patients underwent revision surgery during a 5.5 ± 1.5 year follow-up period. A univariate logistic regression analysis showed that the re-operation rate was significantly higher in patients under 18 years of age, those with mastoiditis, disorders of external ear, treatment by surgeons of 50-64 years of age, use of a very high volume surgeon, and combined surgery with mastoidectomy. A multivariate analysis further limited the re-operation risk factors to younger patients, those with mastoiditis, external ear disorders, treatment by older surgeons, and concomitant mastoidectomy.

Updates in medical malpractice: an otology perspective.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Most surgeons at some point are involved in a medical malpractice case. There has been an increase in the number of manuscripts that analyse malpractice databases and insurance claims, as well as commentaries on the current medicolegal climate recently. This manuscript broadly reviews articles of interest to all providers and then focuses on malpractice in otology. RECENT FINDINGS: Medical malpractice articles (particularly topics related to otologic surgery published within the last 1-2 years) were searched. The growing body of literature can be divided into the themes of general negligence, mitigating injuries and the use of clinical practice guidelines in the courtroom as guidance for expert witnesses. SUMMARY: Recent findings suggest that the frequency of malpractice claims may be decreasing. Hearing loss and facial nerve injury are the most common injuries associated with otologic surgery. These injuries can be costly when negligence is found. Clinic practice guidelines are slowly being used as evidence in the courtroom and there are established guidelines that an expert witness must follow should a surgeon be called to give testimony.

[Obliteration of mastoid cavities: 30 years of experience with recommendations for surgical strategy]. / Obliteration von Mastoidhöhlen: 30 Jahre Erfahrung mit Empfehlungen zur Operationsstrategie.

BACKGROUND: The obliteration of mastoid cavities is an appropriate intervention to sustainably improve patients' quality of life. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After 30 years, 843 cases of mastoid obliteration were analyzed from the pool of data resulting from 16,000 surgical procedures on the ear. The materials used by the authors included cartilage/bone, Palva flaps, and bone pâté; as well as alloplastic material such as hydroxyapatite (HA) and bioactive glass granules (BAG S53P4) from BonAlive® (BonAlive Biomaterials Ltd., Turku, Finland). Pathological findings included rejection with inflammation, granulation of the auditory canal reconstruction, unclear retraction pockets, as well as shrinkage and cicatricial contraction. The follow-up interval was at least 4 months, with an average of 33 months (standard deviation ± 27.8 months). RESULTS: Use of HA was discontinued after 18 cases, because rejection and retraction occurred in 33% of patients. The same applied for bone pâté after 33 cases, with a pathological finding in 21%. The Palva flaps (145 cases) showed pathological findings in 21% of cases, primarily in the form of shrinkage (7%) and retractions (10%). Cartilage/bone pieces (516 cases) and BAG S53P4 (133 cases) only showed abnormal postoperative findings in 8% and 3%, respectively. It is recommended to focus particularly on auditory canal and canal entrance expansion during mastoid obliteration surgery. When using the bioactive glass granules, postoperative use of a mini-drain for 1-2 days is beneficial, in order to avoid accumulation of seroma fluid in the mastoid. CONCLUSION: In our experience, a combination of BAG S53P4 and cartilage as cover is a suitable material for cavity obliteration.

Safety and postoperative adverse events in pediatric otologic surgery: analysis of American College of Surgeons NSQIP-P 30-Day outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: Describe safety and postoperative sequelae of pediatric otologic surgery and identify predictive factors for postoperative events. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study of the American College of Surgeons National Surgery Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric (NSQIP-P) database. SETTING: Data pooled from the 2012 NSQIP-P public use file (50 institutions). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Current procedural terminology codes were used to identify children who underwent otologic surgery. Variables of interest included demographics and 30-day postoperative events grouped as reoperation, readmission, and complication. Event rates were determined and prevalence of events compared by procedure type and within patient subgroups according to chi-square analysis. Multivariate logistic regression evaluated predictive factors for postoperative events. RESULTS: Of 37,319 pediatric operations, 2556 (6.8%) were otologic procedures. The most common procedure was tympanoplasty (n = 893, 34.9%), followed by myringoplasty (n = 741, 30.0%), cochlear implantation (n = 464, 18.2%), and tympanomastoidectomy (n = 458, 17.9%). There were 9 reoperations (0.4%), 32 readmissions (1.3%), and 18 complications (0.7%). Children undergoing tympanomastoidectomy or cochlear implantation were more likely to be readmitted irrespective of other factors (odds ratio = 5.5, P = .010; odds ratio = 3.5, P = .083). Children <3 years old were 4 times more likely to be readmitted than older children (odds ratio = 4.4, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Pediatric otologic procedures are common and have low rates of global 30-day postoperative events. Tympanomastoidectomy and cochlear implantation have the highest risk of 30-day readmission. Young children (<3 years) are more likely to be readmitted following these procedures. Further optimization of the NSQIP-P to include specialty and procedure-specific variables is necessary to assess complete, actionable outcomes of pediatric otologic surgery, however the present study provides a foundation to build upon for safety and quality improvement initiatives in pediatric otology.