Outcomes of Tympanoplasty Performed in Dry and Wet Ear Groups: A Comprehensive Comparative Study

There are various factors which affect the success rate of tympanic membrane (perforation) closure, including age of the patient, size of the perforation, duration of the ear discharge, the presence or absence of infective discharge at the time of surgery. Our aim was to observe the effect of presence of discharge from the ear on the success (outcome) of tympanoplasty. This is prospective study which was conducted on 300 cases with 150 patients each in dry and wet ear group. The study was conducted on patients of age 12-65 years and of either sex presenting with chronic otitis media. Ear discharge for less than 10 years, 78% in dry ear group and 81% in wet ear group. Around 64% had complaint of decreased hearing for < 5 years in dry ear group and 60% in wet ear group. The size of perforation in dry ear group, moderate size perforation was found being predominant 46%, large in 42% and small in 12% patients. In wet ear group 46% patients had moderate, 16% patients had small and 38% patients had large perforation. Improvement in hearing was seen in 105 (70%) cases and worsening in 9 (6%) cases in dry ear group and 114 (76%) hearing improvement, 9 (6%) worsening in wet eargroup. Graft failure was 12 (8%) in dry ear and 15(10%) in wet ear. Worsening in the hearing was seen in 6% cases in both dry and wet ear groups. No other complications were noted in patients during follow up period.