Tympanoplasty: factors associated with anatomical and audiometric results

Abstract

Introduction: Tympanoplasty is a frequent surgery in otolaryngology. Its main indication is tympanic perforation, followed by adhesive otopathy. Its main and (or) anatomic objective is to restore the tympanic membrane's integrity, preventing infections, and its secondary or audiometric objective is to preserve or improve hearing.

Material and method: Retrospective study of all patients submitted to tympanoplasty at our hospital. Biodemographic, ear pathology and surgery characteristics were registered, and anatomic and audiometric success rates were analyzed.

Results: A total of 182 patients were included, most female (57.1%), with average age of 36.1 years. The main surgical indication was tympanic perforation (89.0%), followed by adhesive otopathy (7.1%). Most tympanoplasties were primary surgeries (84.1%), type I (62.6%), performed by endoaural approach (83.5%) using medial or Austin technique (90.1%). Compound cartilage-perichondrium grafts were most frequently used (87.9%). The anatomic success rate was 84.6%, and the audiometric success rate was 66.8%. Patients who underwent myringoplasty (without raising of tympanomeatal flap) presented a better audiometric result (p=.003). No factors associated with better anatomical results were identified.

Conclusions: Our anatomic and audiometric results are comparable to those previously published. Further prospective studies are required to define factors associated with improved anatomic and audiometric results.

Keywords: Anatomic success; Audiometric success; Timpanoplastia; Tympanoplasty; Éxito anatómico; Éxito auditivo.