Time Analysis of Recidivism in Acquired Cholesteatoma Using the Kaplan-Meier Method

Abstract

Objective To analyze the time trends of recidivism of acquired cholesteatoma using the Kaplan-Meier method. Study Design We conducted a retrospective, observational study of 256 patients having their first cholesteatoma surgery. The cumulative recidivism-free rate was calculated using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis related to the follow-up period, pathophysiology, the extent of the disease, and recidivism pathologies. Results Pars flacida cholesteatoma with tympanic cavity progression had a high likelihood of recurrence disease. Pars tensa cholesteatoma led to more recurrence of the disease than the residual disease. In both pars flacida and pars tensa cholesteatoma, the incidence of disease recurrence increased even 3 years after surgery. On the contrary, the incidence of residual disease peaked within 3 years after surgery, and thereafter, the incidence of residual disease tended to be small. In particular, pars flacida cholesteatoma extending into the mastoid cavity or tympanic cavity tended to recur up to 5 years postoperatively. Conclusions We calculated the cumulative recidivism-free rates of 256 patients with cholesteatoma using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. These results can lead to better estimates of the length of the follow-up period. Level of Evidence Level IV evidence from case-control studies.