The Traumatic Tympanic Membrane Perforation - Aetiology and Therapy

Abstract

The use of cotton swabs is well known as a cause of a traumatic membrane perforation. More reasons are known. A detailed description of the aetiology and therapy in Germany does not exist. The treatment consist of a readaptation of the perforation an splinting of the tympanic membrane with paper sheets or silicon foils. 238 patients with an acute tympanic membrane perforation were included in this retrospective study. They were treated between 2005 and 2010. The mean causes of a traumatic tympanic membrane perforation were slaps with the open hand (37.4%), the use of a cotton swab (19.3%) and high diving (13.0%). The perforations have been splinted with paper sheets or silicon foils. The rate of complete wound closure after splinting with different materials are comparable (71.9% and 81.8%). The side effects are low. This is the first study about the aetiology of traumatic tympanic membrane perforations in Germany. There is no statistic difference between the 2 materials for tympanic membrane splinting. A traumatic tympanic membrane perforation should be treatet at least to improve the air conduction threshold.