A Review of the Middle Ear Risk Index as a Prognostic Tool for Outcome in Middle Ear Surgery

This review article aims to scrutinize the studies conducted to determine a relationship between preoperative Middle Ear Risk Index (MERI) factors and postoperative graft acceptance and audiological gain in patients undergoing tympanoplasty procedures in middle ear surgeries. Critical analysis is done on numerous research and types of studies that were done in this area during the past years. The clinical and technical aspects connected to disease and its care have a variety of effects on the morphological and functional outcome of tympanoplasty. A better comprehension of these characteristics aids in better disease prognostication, surgical planning, and patient counseling. At the end of this review, we can conclude that the MERI score is inversely proportional to the post-operative graft acceptance and audiological gain. The accumulated MERI is hence a good prognostic factor for the hearing outcome of surgery.