Sapna Sreedharan Nambiar
BACKGROUND
Chronic Otitis Media (COM), mucosal disease is a common ailment with which patients present to the ENT outpatient department. Tympanoplasty is the surgery performed with the goals of establishing an intact tympanic membrane, eradicating middle ear disease, creating an air-containing middle ear space and restoring the hearing by building a secure connection between the eardrum and the cochlea. The success of tympanoplasty depends on various factors including patient factors, disease factors and surgical factors. The aim of the study is to assess the present status and impact of tympanoplasty as the surgical treatment modality in cases of COM mucosal disease.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
50 patients were selected by non-probability convenience method of sampling and were assessed prior to surgery. Tympanoplasty was carried out in all patients and they were assessed following surgery at 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively. Statistical analysis was done of the improvement following tympanoplasty.
RESULTS
The analysis carried out revealed the graft take up rate to be 86% with failure in 7 (14%) patients. Of the factors contributing to failure following tympanoplasty, the statistically significant factors in this study were the status of middle ear mucosa and the status of the opposite ear (p <0.05). Tympanoplasty continues to be an effective surgical modality of management in patients with COM, mucosal disease with a guarded prognosis in those having bilateral disease and persistent mucosal disease of middle ear cleft.
CONCLUSION
Tympanoplasty is the definitive and effective surgical modality in management of patients with COM mucosal disease. Of the factors considered relevant in the success of tympanoplasty, the status of middle ear mucosa and status of the opposite ear were found statistically significant in this study.
