Outcome of Type-1 Tympanoplasty: a Surgical Management of Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media

Background: Chronic suppurative otitis media is one of the most common otological problems in developing countries. It affects all age groups. Type-1 tympanolpasty is simple repair of tympanic membrane. The objectives of this study were to describe the outcome of type-1 tympanoplasty in terms of graft take rate, hearing improvement and complications. Material & Methods: This quasi-experimental study was carried out in Department of ENT, Al-Noor Specialist Hospital, Makkah, Saudi Arabia from February 2005 to July 2005. Patients with dry central perforations were included in the study. Pre-operative audiogram and x-ray mastoid were performed for all the cases. Results: Out of 40 patients, 21(52.5%) were males and 19(47.5%) females. The mean age was 29 (15-45) years. Out of 40 cases, 22(55%) tympanoplasties were performed on right ear and 18(45%) on left ear. Twelve (30%) patients had large size, 24(60%) medium size, one (2.5%) pin hole size and 3(7.5%) had subtotal tympanic membrane perforation. Fourteen (35%) patients had anterio-inferior perforation, 22(55%) had central, and 4(10%) had posterior-inferior perforation of tympanic membrane. The graft was intact in 35(87.5%) patients while it failed in 4(10%) cases. One (2.5%) case had small residual pinhole perforation. Hearing improvement was documented in 26(65%) patients. There were no complications. Conclusion: Type-1 tympanoplasty has a good outcome in the management of chronic suppurative otitis media, using temporalis fascia as graft material by underlay technique.