Clinical Findings and Treatment of Partially Lateralized Tympanic Membrane

Lee, Young Ho; Park, Jun Young; Choi, Sung Yong

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Partially lateralized tympanic membrane (TM) is a complication of tympanoplasty or healing process. We could detect them by careful examination and treat easily by re-operation.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
We experienced seven patients of partially lateralized TM. We analyzed their clinical symptoms, physical findings, operative findings and pre- and post-audiograms.
RESULTS
Six patients had re-operation and one patient had complication within one year after type I tympanoplasty. They had hearing loss, otorrhea, and tinnitus. In particular, one patient had earfullness, autophonia like patent Eustachian tube because of lateralized TM. One difficult case of anterior perforation of blunted TM was operated 3 times. We could improve the hearing in all of six patients after surgery.
CONCLUSION
Partially lateralized TM is primarily a complication of otologic surgery. It causes still hearing loss, otorrhea, earfullness and tinnitus after primary surgery, which can be repaired by re-operation. In case of perforation on anterior blunted TM, however, it may not be repaired by general procedure and need approach with caution. For prevention, otologic surgeons should have thorough knowledge of surgical principles and carefully watch not to miss it. It is not a very rare complication.