Smoking and Tympanoplasty: Implications for Prognosis and the Middle Ear Risk Index (MERI)

Abstract

Cigarette smoking is associated with more severe middle ear disease preoperatively. More extensive surgery is often needed in smokers to eradicate the disease. Most significantly, smoking is associated with a threefold increase in the chance of long-term graft failure. Based on the results of this study, the MERI has been revised to include smoking as a risk factor.