Time-to-Event Comparison of Two Surgical Techniques for Excision of Localised Pars Tensa Retraction

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Surgical Outcomes
• Tympanic Membrane Healing

Background:

• Pars tensa retraction of the tympanic membrane can lead to complications.
• Surgical excision is a treatment option for significant retraction.
• The role of ancillary ventilation tubes in healing post-excision is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effect of ventilation tube insertion on tympanic membrane healing after pars tensa retraction excision.
• To compare spontaneous healing rates between patients with and without ventilation tubes.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 149 patients undergoing tympanic membrane retraction excision.
• Comparison of perforation closure rates between excision-only and excision with ventilation tube insertion groups.
• Time to event analysis was employed.

Main Results:

• A higher spontaneous healing rate (89%) was observed in the excision-only group versus the excision with tube insertion group (75%) at 6 months.
• Deeper retraction pockets and compromised ossicular chain integrity were associated with poorer closure.
• Age, sex, ear side, and retraction location did not significantly affect healing.

Conclusions:

• Ancillary ventilation tube insertion demonstrated a detrimental effect on tympanic membrane spontaneous healing post-excision.
• These findings suggest ventilation tubes may impede natural healing processes in this context.