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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]