Abstract
The abstract of myringoplasties in children- A retrospective study over two years. C. Sondén and C. Laurent. National hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
In this retrospective study over two years 49 children (51 ears; 30 ears of girls and 21 ears of boys) aged 5- 15 years were operated with myringoplasty at The National Hospital, Norway. In total 51 central perforations were operated and followed- up between 1,5 – 18 months after surgery. The over all healing rate was 82 %. The healing rates in perforations after ventilation tubes and revisions were lower, 78 % and 75 % respectively. In children less than 7 years only 1/3 healed, whereas in children over 7 years 90 % healed, irrespective of previous ventilation tubes or not. The hearing improved after surgery in 89 % of the cases and reached < 20 dB in 83 %. Five ears got worse hearing after surgery, maximum 7 dB pure tone average, all of them with healed tympanic membranes. The hearing improved on average 8 dB also in ears with remaining perforations. In conclusion, this retrospective study shows that children 7 years or older have a favorable outcome (90 % healing rate and 89 % improved hearing) after first- time myringoplasty.