Tympanometric volume: a predictor of success of tympanoplasty in children.

Abstract

To determine if preoperative tympanometric volumes have any predictive value in the success of pediatric tympanoplasty. Retrospective chart review in a tertiary referral center. Success was defined as no evidence of tympanic membrane perforation via otoscopic examination and normal aeration of the middle ear. Fifty-eight pediatric patients who underwent tympanoplasty between 1996 and 2004 were studied; reviewed factors included recent discharge from the ear, perforation size, disease of the contralateral ear, age, gender, middle ear findings, and location of perforation. The overall success rate was 59 percent. The success rate was 89 percent for patients with a large preoperative tympanometric volume compared with 34 percent for patients with a small volume. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that disease of the contralateral ear and a large tympanometric volume were statistically significant. A large tympanometric volume may be an important factor when considering tympanoplasty in children. In addition, disease of the contralateral ear may be a prognostic indicator.