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

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.