Tympanoplasty surgery at the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital 1986-1988.

Results of tympanoplasty surgery over a 3 year period in 96 children aged 2-12 years were analysed to better define indications for surgery and prognostic factors. Nineteen percent had a hearing loss associated with a dry perforation--grafts were successful in 84% and 71% improved hearing to less than 20 dB. Forty-two percent had a hearing loss but also troublesome recurrent infection--grafts were successful in 88% but only 65% improved hearing to less than 20 dB. Thirteen percent had troublesome recurrent infection--grafts were successful in 79%. Twenty-two percent had uncontrolled infection, a cortical mastoidectomy together with myringoplasty produced a 75% take rate. Graft take was not affected by age, type of surgery, infection status or perforation size. Poor nutritional status and postoperative infection both had negative tendencies. In this small series there was a 10% re-perforation rate.