Influence of the wet-ear state on the outcomes of tympanic membrane repair under ear endoscopy: a prospective case-control study

Jun Zhang; Qinglin Bai; Na Zhao; Cong Li; Jia Yang

doi:10.1186/s12893-024-02714-7

Influence of the wet-ear state on the outcomes of tympanic membrane repair under ear endoscopy: a prospective case-control study

BMC Surg. 2025 Jan 3;25(1):2. doi: 10.1186/s12893-024-02714-7.

Authors

Jun Zhang¹, Qinglin Bai², Na Zhao¹, Cong Li¹, Jia Yang³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Zhangqiu People's Hospital, No.1920 Mingshui Huiquan Road, Zhangqiu Distict, Jinan, 250200, People's Republic of China.
² Department of Anesthesia, Zhangqiu People's Hospital, Jinan, China.
³ Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Zhangqiu People's Hospital, No.1920 Mingshui Huiquan Road, Zhangqiu Distict, Jinan, 250200, People's Republic of China. [email protected].

Abstract

Background: To prospectively determine whether tympanoplasty for tympanic membrane perforation (TMP) in wet ears impacts recovery.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled 32 TMP patients (2021-2023) and divided them into the wet-ear (14 patients) and dry-ear groups (18 patients), according to the presence of middle-ear secretions/edema. All patients underwent high-resolution thin-slice computed tomography, ear endoscopy, and pure tone audiometry.

Results: Perforation healing was similar in the dry- ear (94.44%) and wet-ear groups (85.7%, P = 0.5685). At 3 months, dry ears were achieved in 94.44% and 92.86% of patients in the dry- and wet-ear groups, respectively (P > 0.05). The air-bone gap (ABG) at 3 months was similar in the dry-ear (9.4047 ± 4.3415 dB) and wet-ear groups (6.5278 ± 5.4552 dB, P = 0.1171). In both groups, the mean air-conduction threshold, bone-conduction threshold, and ABG significantly decreased postoperatively (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Tympanoplasty for TMP in wet ears does not adversely affect healing.

Keywords: Dry ear; Healing rate; Otoscopy; Tympanoplasty; Wet ear.