A Correlative Study Between Size of Tympanic Membrane Perforation, Pure Tone Audiometry and Intraoperative Findings in Tympanoplasty

Introduction Chronic otitis media (COM) is a most common and prevalent disease of the middle ear. COM has been defined as a longstanding inflammatory condition of middle ear and mastoid, associated with perforation of the tympanic membrane. Tympanoplasties are common surgeries performed for chronic otitis media in inactive mucosal type. Any otological surgery may involve a menace/ hazard of hearing loss post operatively. In this study, an attempt was made to correlate, size of tympanic membrane perforation, pure tone audiometry and intra-operative findings in tympanoplasties, results were analysed and conclusion drawn. Materials and Methods Forty patients attending ENT OPD with chronic otitis media (COM), inactive mucosal type, with conductive hearing loss undergoing tympanoplasties who were willing to participate in the study were selected. Ear was examined pre-operatively to assess the size of perforation and then, pure tone audiometry (PTA) was done to assess the type of hearing loss and its severity. During tympanoplasty, middle ear was inspected for ossicular status and any other pathology was noted. Later, the size of tympanic membrane perforation, pure tone audiometry and intra operative findings were correlated with each other and analysed. Result In small and medium sized perforation, PTA and intraoperative findings correlated with each other. Whereas, in large and subtotal perforation, there was no correlation. Conclusion In small and medium sized perforation, middle ear inspection may not be necessary. Whereas, in large and subtotal perforation it is necessary.