Type I Tympanoplasty in Adolescence: Prognostic Factors and Surgical Outcomes

Background and objectives: Type I tympanoplasty is a common otologic surgery which aims to repair the eardrum integrity. Different views have been reported concerning this procedure in young ages and the best moment to perform surgery remains controversial. Surgery in early adolescence appears to achieve the same outcomes than adulthood and without disadvantages of childhood. Characteristics of perforation and the functioning of the Eustachian tube were proposed as determinants of prognosis; however their effect also remains unclear. This study aims to analyse the success rates of type I tympanoplasty in adolescence and ascertain the existence of variables that may predict surgery outcomes. Subjects and methods: We present a retrospective study of 52 teenagers who undergone type I tympanoplasty, between January 2004 and December 2013. We analysed the impact of age, site, size and cause of perforation, state of middle ear and the existence of contralateral disease on anatomic and audiometric success. Results: Our patients presented a mean age of 15.9 years. The eardrum closure was verified in 80.8% and the audiometric success was achieved in 76.9% of cases. Presence of tympanosclerosis in the middle ear and disease in contralateral ear reduced significantly anatomic and audiometric success rate. Conclusion: Type I tympanoplasty is a surgical procedure with good results in adolescence, similar to those found in adults. Deterioration of middle ear and Eustachian tube dysfunction appear to reduce prognosis.