귀수술에서 드릴의 소음이 비수술측 귀에 미치는 영향

Drill-induced noise in the non-operated ear after ear surgeries

Background : Many studies have suggested that mastoidectomy possibly induces hearing loss in the contralateral non-operated ear through excessive noise or vibration energy from drilling. The aim of this study was to compare long-term postoperative hearing threshold change in the non-operated ear following three different types of otologic surgery requiring different drilling times. Methods : Medical charts of 108 patients who underwent tympanoplasty, mastoidectomy, and translabyrinthine-approached (TLA) tumor excision were retrospectively reviewed. Results of hearing function tests were collected at 9 to 15 months postoperatively. The threshold shift between pre- and postoperative values in each group was analyzed, and an inter-group analysis was conducted. Results : There was no significant permanent threshold shift after surgery, regardless of the required drilling time. The inter-group analysis also showed no significant difference compared to the control group (tympanoplasty). Conclusions : Drilling in otologic surgery does not induce a permanent threshold shift in the non-operated ear, even in TLA tumor excision.