Factors influencing the outcome of hearing improvement surgery in patients with chronic otitis media.

Introduction The postoperative result after tympanoplasty depends on many factors. Influencing factors such as pre-surgery, chain destruction, involvement of the mastoid have a significant impact on the outcome of tympanoplasty. Also age, gender as well as other demographic parameters can influence the audiological outcome. The present study analyzes the results of tympanoplasty after hearing enhancing surgery over the last 5 years.

Methods 140 patients who underwent tympanoplasty with or without extended attico-antrotomy or mastoidectomy for chronic mesotympanic or cholesteatoma between 2018 and 2022 were included. The audiological outcome was evaluated.

Results 140 patients with a mean age of 47 (SD 22.84) were included between 2018 and 2022. 99 (51%) of them had cholesteatoma(-recurrence). 180 of the tympanoplasties evaluated were type III, including 42 (23%) with a TORP prosthesis and 138 (77%) a PORP prosthesis. Postoperative PTA ABG was 22.12 dB (SD 12.2 dB) approximately 4 weeks postoperatively in the cases evaluated. Age as well as gender did not significantly influence the outcome. Patients with a PORP prosthesis tended to show a better audiological outcome compared to those with a TORP prosthesis. The length of the prosthesis did not play a significant role in audiologic outcome. Patients with cholesteatoma recurrence showed significantly worse outcome regardless of type of tympanoplasty.

Conclusion The occurrence of recurrence significantly worsens the audiological outcome. The type of tympanoplasty and the length of the prosthesis did not influence the hearing outcome.

Publication History

Article published online:
12 May 2023