Evaluation of patients operated for chronic otitis media associated with cholesteatoma according to chole classification

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the demographic and clinical characteristics and complications of patients who were admitted to the hospital due to chronic otitis media and operated for cholesteatoma between November 2011 and March 2020, to classify the obtained data according to the ChOLE criteria, and to evaluate our postoperative early and late functional outcomes. Materials And Methods: Hospital files of the cases that were operated within the specified time were accessed and the cases were scanned retrospectively. Epicrisis and surgery notes of the patients, audiological examinations and radiological imaging findings were evaluated. Based on surgical notes, cases diagnosed with cholesteatoma were included in the study. Results: A total of 141 cases were evaluated according to the ChOLE classification. Ch 3 was the most common localization of cholesteatoma and stage 2 was the most common stage. Open cavity tympanomastoidectomy (TM) was the most common surgical procedure preferred (66%). When the functional outcomes were evaluated, it was seen that the postoperative results were mostly associated with the ossicular chain condition and late hearing outcomes were better compared to the early period. Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, a significant correlation was found between the extent of cholesteatoma and type of surgery. Recurrence rate was higher in patients who underwent intact canal TM compared to patients who underwent open cavity TM. With respect to postoperative hearing outcomes, late outcomes were better compared to the early period. Current cholesteatoma classifications aim to make it easier for surgeons to decide on the correct intraoperative approach according to the extent of cholesteatoma. In addition, cholesteatoma classifications allow comparison of surgical and audiometric results between different surgeons and centers. Furthermore, standardized classifications will also be useful in terms of a common language for comparisons between different academic studies. Keywords: ChOLE, Cholesteatoma, Mastoidectomy, Middle Ear,