effects of eustachian tube function in outcome of graft in tympanoplasty or tympanomastoidectomy for chronic otitis media1

chronic otitis media is a common disease which can lead to serious complications or even death. betterment of eustachian tube function is effective on results of operations. the main goal of this study was to determine the effect of eustachian tube function on outcome of graft in tympanoplasty or tympanomastoidectomy for chronic otitis media. we prospectively studied 126 patients who underwent these operations in amir alam hospital in 1998. eustachian tube function, technique of operation, use of silastic, age, sex, presence of cholesteatoma were evaluated in each patient and graft vascularization after 6 to 8 weeks of surgery was considered as successful outcome. among 126 ears, 59 had good etf and among those 59 ears 88.1% or 52 had successful outcome. among 67 patients with poor etf 46 or 68.7% got successful results. this significant difference shows the role of eustachian tube function on the result of surgery.