Effect of drilling on otolithic organ functions in mastoidectomy

Objective This study aimed to assess the effect of drilling during mastoidectomy on otolithic organ functions and development of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo using objective vestibular tests. Materials and methods The study included 45 adult patients diagnosed with chronic otitis media who underwent mastoidectomy with drilling. Pre-operative and post-operative assessments included tests for subjective visual vertical deviation and videonystagmography. Results Subjective visual vertical deviation was significantly higher in post-operative periods. On the third day, the subjective visual vertical deviation was at its maximum (1.4 degrees). Post-operatively, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo was detected in 14 patients (31.1 per cent). The most common type was ipsilateral lateral canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (57.1 per cent). Conclusion The effect of drilling on otolithic organ functions in mastoidectomy seems to be temporary and subclinical; however, it potentially could be a risk factor for the development of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.