Revision tympanoplasty.

Abstract

The terms 'planned two-stage operations', 'planned second-look operations', 'previous surgery', and 'revision surgery' are discussed on the basis of our series of 2,303 ears operated upon from January 1965 to December 1980. We have not performed any planned two-stage operations. All operations prior to the first operation in our department are denoted 'previous surgery'. 'Revision surgery' denotes all reoperations performed either in this department or elsewhere during the observation period until the end of 1984, and the revision rate is analysed in patients with different pathological conditions. 'Revision surgery' was performed in 15.6 percent of 740 ears with cholesteatoma (in 13.9 per cent once, in 1.6 per cent twice, and in 0.1 per cent three times), and 'previous surgery' in 3 per cent. Among 229 ears with chronic granulating otitis, revision surgery had been performed in 12.2 per cent up to December 1982. By December 1984, this figure had risen to 16.1 per cent. 'Previous surgery' had been performed in 18.3 per cent. A total of 38.4 per cent had at least two operations. The revision rate in other conditions varied from 10 per cent (sequelae to chronic otitis) to 34 per cent (post-inflammatory acquired atresia). These rates are discussed and the functional results presented.