Myringoplasty in children

Background Tympanic membrane perforation (TMP) may be caused by acute and chronic otitis media, trauma and iatrogenic reasons. The goal of myringoplasty is to achieve a dry, self-cleansing ear with intact TM while preserving hearing. Literature review of myringoplasty outcome demonstrates results with different success rates and affecting factors. Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate TMP closure (TMPC) rate and hearing improvement and to assess the effect of clinical and surgical parameters on residual and recurrent perforation. Materials and methods Retrospective chart analysis of pediatric patients who underwent myringoplasty between the years 2000–2015. Closure success rate and hearing improvement were evaluated. The influence of age and clinical and surgical variables over TMPC rate and recurrent perforation were examined. Results Our study cohort consisted of 165 myringoplasties in 151 children, with a mean age of 11.7 years (R = 4.8–17.9, Me = 12.0). At one month follow-up (FU) TMPC rate was 88% (145/165). Among patients with successful TMPC a mean improvement of air bone gap (ABG) and speech reception threshold (SRT) were 9.9 dB, p < 0.001 and 9.4 dB, p < 0.001, respectively. 58/145 (40%) patients with initial closure had a minimum FU of 6 months (Me = 12.0), during which time 8/58(13.8%) had a recurrent perforation. Surgery before 9 years of age was the only factor correlated with failed initial closure (p = 0.03) and recurrent perforation (p = 0.02). Conclusions Pediatric myringoplasty is associated with high TMPC rate. Hearing improvement is to be expected in most hearing impaired patients. Age under 9 years is associated with significantly higher rates of persistent and recurrent perforation.