Our Summary

This research paper is about a procedure called Type-1 tympanoplasty, which is commonly used to treat a condition called chronic suppurative otitis media in children. This condition, which results in perforations (or holes) in the ear drum, is a main cause of treatable hearing loss in kids. There’s some debate about how successful the surgery is, what factors might affect its success, and when is the best time to perform it.

In the study, 40 patients aged between 6 and 14 years old, all of whom had this condition, underwent Type-1 tympanoplasty. The researchers checked the patients’ progress two months, six months, and one year after the surgery to see if it was successful and if their hearing improved.

The results showed that the surgery was successful in 80% of patients. After one year, 62.5% of patients had improved hearing, with a reduction in the gap between air and bone conduction up to 5 decibels. In 75% of patients, the movement of the ear drum returned to normal. There was also a significant decrease in hearing handicap. The surgery worked best in kids aged between 9 and 10 years old.

Overall, the study concluded that tympanoplasty has a high success rate in children and significantly improves their hearing. Factors that were traditionally thought to affect the success of the surgery had minimal impact. Given the positive effect of improved hearing and reduced hearing disability, the authors suggest that surgeons should consider this procedure for young children.

FAQs

  1. What is Type-1 tympanoplasty and what condition does it treat?
  2. What was the success rate of tympanoplasty in the study and how much did it improve hearing in children?
  3. How do the study’s findings impact the debate about when is the best time to perform tympanoplasty?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about tympanoplasty is to follow post-operative care instructions carefully. This may include keeping the ear dry, avoiding activities that could put pressure on the ear, and attending follow-up appointments to monitor healing and hearing improvements. It’s important to follow these instructions to ensure the best possible outcome from the surgery.

Suitable For

Typically, patients who are recommended tympanoplasty are those with chronic suppurative otitis media, a condition that results in perforations in the ear drum. This condition can lead to treatable hearing loss, especially in children. Tympanoplasty is often recommended for children between the ages of 6 and 14 who have this condition and are experiencing hearing loss as a result. The procedure is particularly successful in children aged between 9 and 10 years old.

Timeline

Before the tympanoplasty:

  1. Patient is diagnosed with chronic suppurative otitis media, which results in perforations in the ear drum causing hearing loss.
  2. Patient undergoes pre-operative evaluations and tests to assess the severity of the condition and determine if they are a suitable candidate for surgery.

After the tympanoplasty:

  1. Patient undergoes Type-1 tympanoplasty surgery to repair the perforation in the ear drum.
  2. Two months post-surgery, the patient is checked for the success of the surgery and any improvements in hearing.
  3. Six months post-surgery, the patient undergoes follow-up evaluations to monitor the progress of the surgery and any changes in hearing.
  4. One year post-surgery, the patient is assessed for the long-term success of the surgery and any lasting improvements in hearing.
  5. Results show that the surgery is successful in 80% of patients, with significant improvements in hearing and a decrease in hearing handicap.
  6. The surgery is most successful in children aged between 9 and 10 years old, with minimal impact from traditional factors thought to affect surgery success.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What is Type-1 tympanoplasty and how does it work to treat chronic suppurative otitis media?
  2. What are the potential risks and complications associated with tympanoplasty?
  3. How successful is tympanoplasty in improving hearing in children with chronic suppurative otitis media?
  4. Are there any factors that may affect the success of the surgery in children?
  5. What is the recovery process like after tympanoplasty and what kind of follow-up care is needed?
  6. At what age is it recommended to consider tympanoplasty for children with chronic suppurative otitis media?
  7. Are there any alternative treatments or therapies that can be considered before opting for tympanoplasty?
  8. How long does the improvement in hearing typically last after undergoing tympanoplasty?
  9. What is the overall success rate of tympanoplasty in children, and what are the long-term outcomes?
  10. Are there any lifestyle changes or precautions that need to be taken after undergoing tympanoplasty to ensure the best possible outcome?

Reference

Authors: Verma N, Goyal A, Gupta N. Journal: Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2023 Aug;171:111634. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2023.111634. Epub 2023 Jun 22. PMID: 37385186