Abstract:Abstract:ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of endoscopic type I tympanoplasty in dry and wet ears.MethodsA total of 45 patients underwent endoscopic type I tympanoplasty from July 2017 to Sept 2017 in our institution were prospectively enrolled. According to the independent preoperative evaluation of eardrum and mucosa of tympanic cavity by two endoscope doctors and one surgeon, all the patients were divided into two groups: the group with wet ear(n=16) and that with dry ear(n=29). All the patients were followed up postoperatively. The graft uptake and average airbone gap of pure tone audiometry at the 3rd month after surgery between the two groups were compared.ResultsAt the postoperative 3rd month, the graft take rates of the dry ear group and wet ear group were 89.6% and 87.5% respectively. The average airbone gap in the dry ear group decreased from (23.5±7.3)dB HL to (8.6±6.2)dB HL, and from (25.1±7.6)dB HL to (10.5±8.0)dB HL in the wet ear group. The differences of graft take rate and hearing improvement between the two groups were both statistically insignificant (both P>0.05).ConclusionFor the chronic suppurative otitis media at static stage and without lesion of ossicular chain, wet ear is not surgical contraindication. With advantages of reduction of preoperative waiting time, decreased use of antibiotics and avoidance of complications, the success of endoscopic type I tympanoplasty is not adversely affected by the presence of mucoid discharge at the time of surgery, and outcomes are comparable to those with dry ear. This conclusion needs to be further clarified by multicenter prospective cohort study.
