Our Summary

This research paper is about a study on the effects of a type of ear surgery called endoscopic transcanal type 1 cartilage tympanoplasty. This procedure is used to treat people with holes in their eardrums and chronic ear infections.

The study involved 104 patients, half of whom were male and half were female. In the surgery, doctors used cartilage grafts - pieces of cartilage taken from a small piece of cartilage in the ear called the tragus.

The researchers looked at several things: the size and location of the hole in the eardrum, the length of the surgery, the difference between the air and bone conduction of sound (ABG) before and after surgery, and the results of hearing tests.

The average time for the surgery was just over 45 minutes. Most of the holes were in the front part of the eardrum and were of moderate size.

After the surgery, the patients’ hearing had significantly improved. The average score on a hearing test (measured in decibels, or dB) went down from 35.36 dB before the surgery to 22.34 dB six months after the surgery. This means that the patients’ hearing improved, because a lower score means better hearing.

The surgery was successful in 93.2% of the cases. The difference between the air and bone conduction of sound also improved significantly, going from an average of 19.82 dB before the surgery to 9.05 dB six months after the surgery.

The conclusion of the study is that this type of surgery is highly successful, can improve hearing, and is safe and comfortable for the patient. The results are good regardless of the size and location of the hole in the eardrum. The surgery also has several advantages: it gives a good view of the middle ear, it’s easy to do, it doesn’t take long, there’s a low risk of complications, and it’s less invasive than other types of ear surgery.

FAQs

  1. What is the success rate of endoscopic transcanal type 1 cartilage tympanoplasty?
  2. How does the size and location of the perforation affect the results of the tympanoplasty?
  3. What improvements in hearing can be expected after undergoing endoscopic transcanal type 1 cartilage tympanoplasty?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about tympanoplasty is to follow post-operative care instructions carefully to ensure successful healing and optimal hearing results. This may include avoiding water exposure to the ear, refraining from blowing the nose forcefully, and attending follow-up appointments for monitoring progress. Additionally, maintaining overall ear health and avoiding activities that could put pressure on the healing eardrum are important for a successful recovery.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended tympanoplasty are those with tympanic membrane perforations and chronic otitis media. In this study, the patients who underwent endoscopic transcanal type 1 cartilage tympanoplasty had perforations that were most frequently located in the anterior quadrant with moderate size. The surgery resulted in a high graft success rate and improved hearing outcomes, regardless of the location and size of the perforations. Endoscopic tympanoplasty was found to be safe and effective, with benefits such as wide visualization, easy applicability, short operation duration, low complication risk, and less invasive approach.

Timeline

Before tympanoplasty, a patient may experience symptoms such as hearing loss, recurrent ear infections, and persistent ear discharge. They may also undergo a thorough examination by an otolaryngologist, which may include a physical examination, hearing tests, and imaging studies.

During tympanoplasty, the patient is placed under general anesthesia, and the surgeon makes an incision in the ear canal to access the perforated tympanic membrane. The perforation is repaired using a graft, typically made of tragal cartilage. The surgery typically lasts around 45 minutes.

After tympanoplasty, the patient may experience some temporary discomfort, ear drainage, and mild hearing loss. They will need to follow post-operative care instructions, which may include keeping the ear dry and avoiding certain activities. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled to monitor healing and hearing improvement.

In the months following tympanoplasty, the patient’s hearing should improve as the graft successfully closes the perforation. Hearing tests will be performed to assess the air-bone gap (ABG) and measure hearing gain. The overall graft success rate is typically high, and patients can expect improved hearing outcomes. Endoscopic transcanal type 1 cartilage tympanoplasty is a safe and effective procedure for treating tympanic membrane perforations and chronic otitis media.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What is the success rate of tympanoplasty in general and specifically with the type of procedure being recommended?
  2. How long is the typical recovery time after tympanoplasty?
  3. What are the potential risks or complications associated with tympanoplasty?
  4. Will I need any follow-up appointments or hearing tests after the surgery?
  5. How will my hearing be affected immediately after surgery and in the long term?
  6. Will I need to make any lifestyle adjustments or changes during the recovery period?
  7. Are there any specific precautions I should take to prevent re-injury or complications after the surgery?
  8. Will I need to avoid any activities or behaviors that could impact the success of the surgery?
  9. How will the surgery be performed and what can I expect during the procedure?
  10. Are there any alternative treatment options to consider before proceeding with tympanoplasty?

Reference

Authors: Özdemir D, Özgür A, Akgül G, Çelebi M, Mehel DM, Yemiş T. Journal: Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2019 Dec;276(12):3295-3299. doi: 10.1007/s00405-019-05636-w. Epub 2019 Sep 13. PMID: 31520162