Hearing benefits in various types of tympanoplasties: A prospective study

Abstract

Aims: The aim was to study about the hearing benefits achieved by various types of tympanoplasties done for both safe and unsafe type of chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM). Subjects and Methods: A total of 60 patients with both tubotympanic and atticoantral type of CSOM were taken up and evaluated with otomicroscopy and otoendoscopy, pure tone audiometry and radiological images. Surgeries were planned according to the involvement of the mastoid cavity and extent of the disease, ossicular chain involvement in view of disease clearance and hearing improvement. Statistical Analysis Used: Prospective study design with probability values. Results: Of 60 patients who underwent tympanoplasties 49 patients (81%) showed significant improvement in hearing with successful graft uptake. Conclusions: Mastoidectomy along with tympanoplasty proves beneficial in both disease clearance and hearing improvement. The generally available autologous ossicular grafts like incus or head of the malleus for ossiculoplasty improves the success rate by >80% as shown by us. Aeration of middle ear and infection control postoperatively is essential for functional success after any kind of tympanoplasty as achieved by us.