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Myringoplasty--effects on hearing and contributing factors
1Department of Otolaryngology, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town.
Summary
Myringoplasty effectively repairs eardrum perforations, significantly improving hearing in most patients. Surgeon skill and perforation size impact surgical success rates and outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Surgical Outcomes
- Audiology
Background:
- Myringoplasty is indicated for chronic otorrhoea and hearing impairment.
- Concerns exist regarding poor hearing results and sensorineural hearing loss post-surgery.
- The efficacy of myringoplasty in ears with normal hearing is debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the success rate ('take rate') of myringoplasty.
- To assess hearing gains and losses following the procedure.
- To identify factors influencing myringoplasty outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 211 consecutive myringoplasties over one year.
- Evaluation of pre- and post-operative air-bone gap measurements.
- Correlation of outcomes with surgeon grade and perforation size.
Main Results:
- A 'take rate' of 78% was achieved, comparable to existing literature.
- Average air-bone gap improved from 23.7 dB to 13.9 dB.
- 4.5% incidence of sensorineural hearing loss; 77.9% of patients achieved <20 dB air-bone gap postoperatively.
Conclusions:
- Myringoplasty is a beneficial surgical intervention for tympanic membrane closure.
- The procedure leads to significant hearing improvement for patients.
- Surgeon experience and perforation size are key determinants of successful myringoplasty outcomes.