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.