Aesthetic and hearing rehabilitation in patients with bilateral microtia-atresia.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of auricle reconstruction and active transcutaneous bone-conduction implantation in patients with bilateral microtia-atresia.

DESIGN:

Patients were chosen prospectively, with each being his/her own control.

SETTING:

The setting was a tertiary referral center.

PARTICIPANTS:

Twelve patients, aged 6-18 years, with bilateral microtia-atresia suffering from bilateral conductive hearing loss. All had an upper bone conduction threshold limit of 45 dB HL at frequencies of 0.5-4 kHz.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

Patient satisfaction with the reconstructed auricle was rated as highly satisfactory, basically satisfactory, or unsatisfactory. Mean pure-tone thresholds and speech audiometry test results were compared among patients unaided, with a soft-band Bonebridge, and with an implanted Bonebridge. Subjective satisfaction was analyzed using three questionnaires: the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB), the Glasgow children's benefit inventory (GCBI), and the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA).

RESULTS:

All patients who underwent auricle reconstruction expressed satisfaction with their appearance. The mean pure-tone thresholds of unaided patients and those with soft-band and implanted Bonebridge were 55.25 ± 3.43 dBHL, 31.37 ± 3.03 dBHL, and 21.25 ± 2.16 dBHL, respectively. The mean speech discrimination scores measured in a sound field with a presentation level of 65 dB SPL under these three conditions were 46.0 ± 0.11%, 80.0 ± 0.09%, and 94.0 ± 0.02%, respectively. Questionnaires demonstrated patients' benefits and satisfaction with this surgery.

CONCLUSIONS:

The surgical procedure involving auricle reconstruction and Bonebridge implantation was safe and effective for patients with bilateral microtia-atresia, solving both appearance and hearing problems.

• Authors: Xinmiao Fan, Yibei Wang, Pu Wang, Yue Fan, Yu Chen, Yuanli Zhu, Xiaowei Chen
• Journal: International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology (Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol) Vol. 101 Pg. 150-157 (Oct 2017) ISSN: 1872-8464 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 28964287 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Topics

• Adolescent
• Audiometry, Speech
• Child
• Congenital Microtia (surgery)
• Ear, External (surgery)
• Female
• Hearing
• Hearing Aids (adverse effects)
• Hearing Loss, Conductive (surgery)
• Hearing Tests
• Humans
• Male
• Patient Satisfaction (statistics & numerical data)
• Prospective Studies
• Plastic Surgery Procedures (adverse effects, methods)
• Surveys and Questionnaires