A meta-analysis of the long-term hearing outcomes and complications associated with atresiaplasty

ObjectiveTo summarize peer-reviewed literature to evaluate the stability of long-term hearing outcomes with prolonged follow-up, and describe the incidence of complications related to atresiaplasty.DesignA literature search of EMBASE, MEDLINE, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science was performed to identify studies of congenital aural atresia (CAA).Study sampleSelected studies were published between 1997 and 2014. The 19 studies covered 964 CAA ears.ResultsStenosis and bony regrowth occurred in 14.2% (range from 0% to 30.3%). Lateralization of tympanic membrane (TM) occurred in 7.5% (range from 0% to 18.2%). Facial nerve palsy occurred in 0.5% (range from 0% to 5.0%). Six studies used Air-bone Gap (ABG) to evaluate the short-term and long-term hearing outcomes. The hearing outcomes were performed using meta-analysis, there was no significantly heterogeneity (I2 = 0%, p = 0.997), and there was a degradation of hearing outcomes with prolonged follow-up (RR = 1.13, 95%CI: 0.98–1.30).ConclusionNearly all studies focus on postoperative stenosis and bony regrowth, but some studies neglect lateralization of TM. Based on available data, which shows a lack of major complications, such as facial nerve palsy, atresiaplasty is a safe procedure. Our meta-analysis indicated that there was a degradation of hearing outcomes with prolonged follow-up.