Prognostic factors for duration of vertigo after stapes surgery via a time-to-event analysis

Abstract

Background

Vertigo or dizziness after stapes surgery occurs sometimes, and it is generally temporary. However, while rare, it can be prolonged.

Aims/Objectives

To investigate the prognostic factors for duration of vertigo following stapedotomy using a time-to-event analysis.

Materials and methods

The present study included a total of 35 primary ears (26 with otosclerosis and nine with congenital stapes fixation) from 31 patients. We assessed residual rates of nystagmus and complaints of subjective vestibular symptoms using Kaplan–Meier time-to-event methods.

Results

Postoperative spontaneous nystagmus was observed in 23 (65.7%) ears, and postoperative subjective vestibular symptoms were confirmed in 27 (77.1%) ears. The total mean duration of postoperative spontaneous nystagmus and subjective vestibular symptoms was 9.8 (range: 0–158) and 33.9 days (0–732), respectively. A history of stapes surgery in the opposite ear was a significant predictive factor for prolonged nystagmus and subjective vestibular symptoms (p = .0059 and p = .0146).

Conclusions and significance

For individuals with a history of stapes surgery in the opposite ear, spontaneous nystagmus and vertigo/dizziness sensations following stapedotomy may persist for a longer duration than in those without a history of stapes surgery in the opposite ear.

Chinese abstract

背景：镫骨手术后有时会出现眩晕或头晕, 这通常是暂时的。但是, 虽然很少见, 这种状况的时间可能会延长。

目的：采用时间-事件分析法, 探讨镫骨切开术后眩晕持续时间的预后因素。

材料和方法：本研究包括来自31例患者的35只耳（26例耳硬化症和9例先天性镫骨固定）。我们使用Kaplan-Meier时间-事件法评估了眼球震颤的残留率和主观前庭症状。

结果：术后自发性眼球震颤发生于23个耳（65.7％）, 术后主观前庭症状发生于27个耳。术后自发性眼球震颤和主观前庭症状的总平均持续时间分别为9.8天（范围：0-158天）和33.9天（范围0-732天）。对侧耳朵的镫骨手术史是延长的眼球震颤和主观前庭症状的重要预测因素（p¼.0059和p¼.0146）。

结论和意义：对于有对侧耳朵镫骨手术史的患者, 与没有对侧耳朵镫骨手术史的患者相比, 镫骨切开术后自发性眼球震颤和眩晕/头晕感觉可能会持续更长时间。

Keywords:

• Stapes surgery
• nystagmus
• vertigo
• dizziness
• prognostic factors
• otosclerosis
• congenital stapes fixation

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Editage (www.editage.com) for the English language review.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interests was reported by the author(s).