A Clinical Study of Traumatic Tympanic Membrane Perforation

Abstract

We reviewed 165 cases of traumatic tympanic membrane perforation treated in the last 9 years (2000-2008). Of these, 103 sustained direct injury and 62 indirect injury. Ear picking accounted for 90.3% of direct injuries. Perforation size followed the classification of Yoshikawa, with Grade I perforation the most common, according for 129 (78.2%). The anteroinferior quadrant perforation site was the most common, with 98 (59.4%). Of the 165, 66 were lost during followup. Of the remaining 99, perforations closed spontaneously in 85 (85.9%), within a mean 25.9 days. Tympanoplasty was done in 14, in whom postoperative hearing improved in 12. The remaining 2 had ossicular fractures associated with perilymph fistula. In the 14 undergoing surgery, tympanic membrane perforation relapsed in 4 and 2 developed cholesteatoma as tympanoplasty sequelae.