Determinants of holistic outcome in traumatic tympanic membrane perforation

Abstract

Objective: The goal of this study is to understand the perforation closure dynamics and to elucidate the factors playing vital role in closure of traumatic tympanic membrane perforation (TMP). Study Design: This was a prospective, sequential allocation, three armed, January 2015–June 2017 (30 months). Setting: This study was conducted at university teaching tertiary hospital. Sample Size: A sample size was 309 (291 patients and 294 ears). Results: The total number of patients included was 291 and the total ears were 294 being bilateral traumatic TMPs in three patients. The mean age of the patients was 27.9 years. Hearing loss and bleeding from ear were the most common presentation. In majority, the hearing loss was conductive. Slap being the most common etiology. Posteroinferior quadrant was the most common site of injury. The overall mean closure time of this study was 13.32 days. Three patients were lost to follow-up. Perforation healing rate in this study was 98.98% at 1 month, and there was a significant difference in healing rate for small and large perforations. We have studied all the three variables together, i.e., the impact of time of initiating treatment after injury, grade of perforation, and their closure time to understand the closure dynamics of traumatic TMPs which is unique and is first of its kind in literature. Conclusion: The carbolic acid to the edge and paper patch with soframycin is a noninvasive, patient-friendly and low-cost office procedure for traumatic TMP's and if performed within 72 h of injury gives 99%–100% closure rate.