Traumatic perforation of the tympanic membrane in University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt. Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the causes, clinical features and treatment of traumatic tympanic membrane perforation in University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Patients with traumatic perforation of the tympanic membrane from August 2003 to February 2005 were evaluated clinically to determine the cause and the site of perforation. They had pure tone audiometry done. Treated by non- surgical means and followed up.

RESULTS

Fifty- eight (8.6%) patients with traumatic perforation were seen among 676 patients with aural diseases. Average age was 27.56 years. Causes of traumatic perforation were, fights with spouse 27.6%, street fights 19%, instrumentation 17.2% and state security agents 15.5%. Hearing loss 94.8%, tinnitus 84.5% and otalgia 67.2% were common complaints. 63.8% had perforation in the lower half of pars tensa. 42.4% had mild conductive hearing impairment. 29.3% healed within 3 weeks.

CONCLUSION

Physical blow to the ear was the commonest cause of tympanic perforation.