HIV Positivity per se Does Not Affect Tympanoplasty Outcomes

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Infectious Diseases
• Surgical Outcomes

Background:

• Lack of clear surgical protocols for otologic procedures in HIV+ patients.
• Need for evidence-based guidelines for managing ear conditions in immunocompetent HIV+ individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of simple tympanoplasty and type III tympanoplasty in HIV+ patients with CD4 counts >400 cells/cc.
• To compare surgical outcomes in HIV+ patients with a healthy control group.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 32 HIV+ patients and 32 controls undergoing tympanoplasty.
• Analysis of otologic conditions, operative results, and hearing outcomes.
• Comparison of tympanic membrane closure rates and air-bone gap improvements.

Main Results:

• Equivalent demographic and perforation characteristics between HIV+ and control groups.
• High tympanic membrane closure rates (30/32) in both groups after one operation.
• Significant and comparable improvements in air-bone gaps (22 dB HIV+ vs. 26 dB controls) and no significant difference in hearing change between groups.
• Absence of surgical complications in either group.

Conclusions:

• Simple tympanoplasty and type III tympanoplasty are safe and effective for HIV+ patients with CD4 counts >400 cells/cc.
• Outcomes, including hearing improvement and closure rates, are equivalent to those in healthy controls.
• These procedures offer acceptable results for selected HIV+ patients.