Data ‘Sources and Measurement
Patients were asked to record pain on a visual analogue scale (VAS) at
days 1, 2,3 and 7 post-operatively. Outcomes recorded were pain on a
visual analogue scale, from 0 mm to 100 mm, where 0mm is “no pain” and
100mm is “worst pain imaginable”. A 100 mm VAS was selected as this
scale is accepted for determining pain outcomes in
otolaryngology.8 They were given this document to
complete after discharge, and then asked to return it at their first
follow up outpatient appointment or post it back to the department. In
addition, they were asked to fill out a post-operative analgesia diary,
with details regarding the date, dose and type of analgesia taken. For
purpose of data analysis, analgesia used by patients was categorised
into those requiring only simple analgesia or those needing additional
opioid analgesia. Simple analgesia encompassed use of non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and paracetamol.
Data was recorded prospectively using the Common Otology
Audit.9 Data used from the database was patient age at
time of operation, name of operation, whether procedure was endoscopic
or microscopic, International Otology Outcome Group (IOOG) mastoidectomy
category where cholesteatoma surgery had taken
place,10 IOOG middle ear access category where
applicable,10 and incision type.