[Prognostic factors in pediatric myringoplasty. A review of 90 cases].

Although tympanic membrane perforations continue to be a significant source of otologic morbidity in the pediatric population, myringoplasty in children still elicits debate. The records of 76 patients under 18 who underwent 90 myringoplasties at the 12 de Octubre University Hospital (Madrid, Spain) over a recent 8-year period were reviewed. The overall short-term surgical success rate was 64.8%. The overall success rate evaluated at least one year after surgery was 58%. The audiological threshold improved in 68% per cent of successful cases. Surprisingly, females had lower graft take rates than males. The outcome of surgery was unrelated to age at operation, duration, mechanism, size, and location of the perforation, or condition of the opposite ear.