Postoperative Results of Tympanoplasty Type 1 in Adult

Kim, Chong Sun; Kim, Dae Woo; Hwang, Chan Ho; Ahn, Soon Hyun; Park, Hong Ju; Kim, Chang Hee

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The objectives of tympanoplasty are the removal of pathology and the reconstruction of transducer mechanism of the middle ear. Aims of this study were to analyze the postoperative hearing results after tympanoplasty type I and to evaluate the prognostic factors related to the postoperative hearing results and complications. MATERIALS AND METHOD: From January 1996 through January 2001, 138 cases of tympanoplasty type I performed by one senior surgeon were reviewed retrospectively. Revision cases or canal down mastoidectomy cases were excluded.
RESULTS
Out of 138 cases, 120 cases (87%) showed air-bone gap of less than 20 dB in postoperative 1-year, the postoperative 1-year air-bone gap (ABG) was 9.6+/-8.6 dB and postoperative 1-year hearing gain was 12.2+/-10.4 dB. The postoperative reperforation rate was 14%, and the recurrent drainage developed in 5%. There was no deterioration of bone conduction. Patients with large perforation had more hearing gain following operation. Postoperative reperforation developed more frequently when the middle ear mucosa was inflamed preoperatively. The postoperative hearing deterioration was mainly due to infection that was uncontrolled preoperatively.
CONCLUSION
Postoperative hearing gain was related to the size of perforation. It is important to control the infection preoperatively for the improvement of the result following tympanoplasty type I.