Paper patch repair of blast rupture of the tympanic membrane

An hotel explosion provided a need to treat five blast ruptured tympanic membranes in four firemen. Treatment consisted of early debridement and eversion of tympanic membrane flaps, Gelfoam to support these flaps and the placement of a paper patch for immediate closure of the drumhead defect and to provide a plane for epithelial growth. Pre and postsurgical audiometry demonstrate the immediate rehabilitation of conductive hearing in these patients. In all cases, immediate improvement in symptoms of aural fullness occurred. Tympanic membrane defects healed with minimal scarring in each case. Early debridement and paper patch repair are recommended for blast-ruptured tympanic membranes.