Factors affecting persistent tympanic membrane perforation after tympanostomy tube removal in children

Abstract

Objectives: Evaluate and compare the rates of persistent tympanic membrane (TM) perforations between short-term vs long-term tympanostomy tubes. In addition, to determine which demographic, anatomical, and physical factors affect ear drum healing after tympanostomy tube (TT) removal and simultaneous paper patch myringoplasty (PPM) in children.

Study design: Retrospective chart review.

Methods: Charts were reviewed from the Women and Children's of Buffalo hospital and our pediatric otolaryngology practice electronic medical record. Data was retrieved from patients less than 18 years old who underwent surgical removal of a TT and concomitant PPM between January 2005 and January 2017.

Results: 343 ear drums were studied that underwent tympanostomy tube removal and paper patch myringoplasty. 45/343 (13%) of ears had a persistent perforation after PPM. The rate of persistent perforation with short-term tubes and long-term tubes was significantly different (6.6% and 20% respectively). Patient characteristics significantly associated with persistent perforations were: age at time of tube removal and number of tubes that patient received. Ear drum characteristics that significantly impacted persistent perforation included: size of ear drum perforation, and presence of tympanosclerosis. Length of intubation, ear drum atrophy, retraction, granulation tissue, middle ear effusion and thickened ear drum were not found to be significant factors.

Conclusion: Overall, we found an 87% perforation closure rate after surgical removal of the TT and PPM. Persistent perforations occurred significantly more often in patients with long-term tubes than short term tubes. Our data also suggests that several patient and ear drum characteristics may be important factors that contribute to persistent perforation after tympanostomy tube placement and removal.

Keywords: Paper patch myringoplasty; Tympanic membrane perforation; Tympanostomy tube.