HIV Positivity per se Does Not Affect Tympanoplasty Outcomes.

BACKGROUND

The English language literature finds no clear protocols for otologic surgery for HIV+ patients.

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate that simple tympanoplasty and type III tympanoplasty in HIV+ patients with CD4 >400 cells/cc results in tympanic membrane closures and hearing improvements equivalent to the same procedures in controls.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This retrospective review documents the otologic conditions and operative results of 32 HIV+ patients and 32 controls. The controls were healthy and had no opportunistic infections or other medications.

RESULTS

Genders, ages, sizes of tympanic membrane perforations, severity of air bone gaps, and type of operation were equivalent between the HIV+ and the control groups. Thirty of 32 patients in each group had closure of their perforations after 1 operation. Air bone gaps improved significantly for each group ( P = .001): 22 dB (SD = 11 dB) in the HIV+ group and 26 dB (SD = 10 dB) in the control group. And there was no statistically significant difference in change in hearing between the 2 groups. There were no complications of infection, wound dehiscence, worsened sensorineural levels, dizziness, or facial weakness in either group.

CONCLUSION

HIV+ patients whose CD4 counts are above 400 cells/cc can undergo simple tympanoplasty or type III tympanoplasty with acceptable outcomes.