[Indications and performance of diagnostic tympanotomy in children]

From 1983 to 1987 163 children with an air-conduction loss were admitted for otosurgical treatment to the ENT clinic of the Medical Academy in Dresden. Explorative tympanotomy was necessary in 11 cases, i.e. a proportion of 6 to 7%. Indications of such tympanotomy are progressive middle-ear deafness, alterations of the ear drum and posttraumatic conduction deafness. An essential indication is the suspicion of a tumour.