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Meta-analysis of pediatric tympanoplasty
J T Vrabec1, R W Deskin, J J Grady
1Department of Otolaryngology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 77555-0521, USA. jvrabec@utmb.edu
Insights
Advancing age is the only significant predictor of successful tympanoplasty (eardrum repair) in children. Other factors like surgical technique or infection did not show a significant impact on healing outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatric Surgery
- Medical Research Methodology
Background:
- Tympanoplasty is a surgical procedure to repair a perforated eardrum.
- Success rates in pediatric tympanoplasty can vary, necessitating identification of key influencing factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify preoperative conditions and surgical techniques affecting tympanoplasty success in children.
- To analyze factors influencing tympanic membrane healing post-surgery in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature review of MEDLINE (1966-1997) was performed.
- 30 English-language studies with pediatric-specific tympanoplasty or myringoplasty data were included.
- Success was defined as an intact tympanic membrane; data were analyzed using regression analysis.
Main Results:
- Advancing age was found to correlate positively with successful tympanic membrane healing.
- Surgical technique, prior adenoidectomy, infection, perforation size, contralateral ear status, and eustachian tube function were not significant predictors of success.
Conclusions:
- Older children have a higher likelihood of successful tympanic membrane healing after tympanoplasty.
- Standardized reporting guidelines for pediatric tympanoplasty outcomes are recommended.
Objective:
To determine which preoperative conditions or surgical techniques may influence the success of tympanoplasty in the pediatric population.
Data Sources:
A MEDLINE search of the English-language literature from 1966 to May 1997 was conducted using the search terms pediatric or child and tympanoplasty or myringoplasty.
Study Selection:
Articles that provided age-specific data on tympanoplasty or myringoplasty were included. Of the original 651 studies retrieved, 30 were accepted for inclusion. The principal reason for exclusion was inability to separate adult and pediatric results in series that combined both patient populations.
Data Extraction:
Success was defined as an intact tympanic membrane for the purpose of this review. Data were tabulated by consensus of 2 reviewers.
Data Synthesis:
The effect of surgical technique, prior adenoidectomy, presence of active infection, size of perforation, status of the contralateral ear, age, and eustachian tube function on healing of the tympanic membrane after surgery was assessed. Only those studies providing data on a given parameter of interest could be included when comparing each variable. Weighted means were compared and subjected to sensitivity analysis. Simple linear regression analysis was used to assess the effect of age on outcome.
Conclusions:
Greater success in healing of the tympanic membrane following tympanoplasty in children is seen with advancing age. None of the other parameters studied was shown to be a significant predictor of success. Guidelines for reporting results of tympanoplasty are presented.