Myringoplasty Outcomes From the Swedish National Quality Registry

Data from patients registered for myringoplasty during 2002 to 2012 in the Swedish National Quality Registry for Myringoplasty.

Both conventional myringoplasty and fat-graft techniques were used aimed at healing the tympanic membrane in noninfected ears.

Analysis was performed on data in a national database collected from 32 ear, nose, and throat clinics. Surgical procedures and outcomes, and patient satisfaction from a questionnaire were studied.

The database was comprised of 3,775 surgical procedures, with follow-up available for analysis. One-third were children under the age of 15 years. The most common indication for surgery was infection prophylaxis. The overall healing rate of the tympanic membrane after surgery was 88.5%, with a high mean patient satisfaction. Complications registered were postoperative infection, tinnitus, or taste disturbance that occurred in 5.8% of patients.

Swedish results for a large number of patients who completed myringoplasty are presented. The success rate in this study is comparable to other studies, and good patient-reported outcome measures of myringoplasty are presented. Databases for surgical procedures and clinical audits are systematic processes for continuous learning in healthcare. This study shows that clinical databases can be utilized to analyze national results of surgical procedures.

2b Laryngoscope, 127:2389-2395, 2017.