Surgical classification for chronic otitis media

Abstract

A surgical classification is proposed for patients with chronic otitis media. Its purpose is to facilitate the preoperative classification of patients to enable an orderly evaluation of subsequent operative procedures. In addition, it provides for a method for classifying surgical reconstruction procedures. The preoperative phase of the classification is structured around describing the pathology within the ear and the functional disturbances within the upper respiratory tract. This is accomplished by inquiring about the age of the patient, the apparent etiology of the chronic otitis media, the intactness of the tympanic membrane and the presence or absence of tympanosclerosis and cholesteatoma. Notation is recorded of associated functional disturbances within the upper respiratory tract as they relate to etiology.The postoperative phase of the classification incorporates Wullstein, Zollner's and Farrior's classifications to describe the anatomy of the ear following the surgical removal of the disease and the type of the functional repair employed. © The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.