Pediatric type 1 tympanoplasty - Does age matter?

Rate and management of tympanic membrane perforations in children with Down syndrome and middle ear disorder

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the management and outcomes of observation versus surgical intervention of tympanic membrane (TM) perforations in children with Down syndrome (DS). In addition, to estimate the prevalence of TM perforations in children with DS.

METHODS

Retrospective case review analysis of TM perforation rate in children with DS with history of tympanostomy tube (TT) insertion at a tertiary pediatric referral center. Patients were divided into observation or surgical intervention groups and then further evaluated for the type of intervention, the number of required procedures, and success rate of hearing improvement. Risk factors contributing to perforations were analyzed, including TT type, number of TT surgeries, and perforation size.

RESULTS

The TM perforation rate in children with DS with TT history was 7.0 %. Tympanoplasty was performed in 41.5 % of perforated ears with a success rate of 53.1 %. There was no statistical difference between the surgical intervention and observation groups regarding perforation characteristics or TT number and type, but the surgical intervention cohort was older. Hearing improvement based on postoperative pure tone average (PTA) threshold was noted in the successful surgical intervention group.

CONCLUSION

The rate of TM perforations in children with DS after TTs is comparable to the general population. Improved PTA thresholds were noted in the surgical success group influencing speech development. The overall lower success rate of tympanoplasty in patients with DS emphasizes the need to factor in the timing of surgical intervention based on the predicted age of Eustachian tube maturation.

Primary and revision myringoplasty in children: Long-term outcome and analysis of the factors influencing the results

Objective

Assess the long-term outcome of pediatric myringoplasty.

Methods

Tympanoplasty type I, myringoplasty, was performed on 85 children (91 consecutive operations, 74 primary and 17 revisions) under 16 years of age. The perforations were sequela either to acute or chronic inflammatory middle ear disease. Medial grafting technique was employed with temporalis fascia. Adenoidectomy was performed earlier on all but five children. The preoperative observation period exceeded one year for all patients. The mean follow-up was 5.4 (SD 3.6) years.

Results

The long-term graft take rate was 84% for primary myringoplasty, and 53% for revision operations. The re-perforations were associated with postoperative discharge, subtotal or total perforation and revision surgery. In the cohort, sixty ears (66%) were completely healthy (intact tympanic membrane in normal position without adhesions and with good mobility) after follow-up. Spontaneous healing took place in 37% after re-perforation. The preoperative ventilation tube treatment did not affect the outcome and there were no differences between age groups. Preoperative sonotubometry or Valsalva test results did not correlate with outcome. Four ears needed a ventilation tube during the follow-up due to poor ventilation. The mean pure tone thresholds improved significantly after operation.

Conclusions

Myringoplasty in children is a reliable procedure without age restrictions. One year of preoperative observation excludes most unstable ears, and high tendency of spontaneous healing after re-perforation suggests the need for a lengthy follow-up before revision surgery.

Tympanoplasty in the Setting of Complex Middle Ear Pathology: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prognostic factors for anatomic and hearing success after tympanoplasty in the setting of complex middle ear pathology.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed in January 2022. English-language articles describing outcome data for tympanoplasty repair variables including underlying pathology, perforation location, smoking status, graft technique, reconstruction material, anatomic success, and hearing success were extracted. Articles were included when tympanosclerosis, retraction pockets, adhesions, cholesteatoma, chronic suppurative otitis media, anterior perforations, and smoking were included. Underlying pathology, perforation location, smoking status, graft technique, reconstruction material, anatomic success, and hearing success were extracted. Any factors analyzed as potential indicators of success were sought out.

RESULTS

Data sources included PubMed, OVID, Cochrane, Web of Science, Scopus, and manual search of bibliographies. Ninety-three articles met final criteria, which accounted for 6685 patients. Fifty articles presented data on both anatomic and hearing outcomes, 32 articles presented data on anatomic outcomes only, and 11 articles presented data on hearing outcomes only. This systematic review found that adhesions and tympanosclerosis were prognostic factors for poorer hearing. Additionally, smoking and tympanosclerosis may be predictive of anatomic failure; however, the significance of this finding was mixed in included studies. This analysis is significantly limited by both the heterogeneity within the patients and the lack of controls.

CONCLUSION

Adhesions and tympanosclerosis were prognostic factors for poorer hearing. Clearly documented methods and outcomes for the included pathologies could lead to more definitive conclusions regarding prognostic factors for success.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3B.

Outcomes of Tympanoplasty After Cleft Palate Repair: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To analyze graft success rates and hearing outcomes in patients with a history of cleft palate (CP) repair undergoing tympanoplasty.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL.

REVIEW METHODS

Per PRISMA guidelines, the databases were searched from date of inception through December 14, 2021. Studies of patients with previous CP repair who underwent tympanoplasty were included. Meta-analysis of proportions, continuous measures, odds ratios (ORs), and meta-regression were used to analyze graft success and hearing outcomes after tympanoplasty.

RESULTS

A total of 323 patients with CP repair and 1169 controls were included. The proportion of graft success was 86.7% (95% CI, 76.1%-94.5%) in patients with CP repair and 88.8% (95% CI, 76.9-96.8) in controls. There was no difference in odds of graft success between patients with CP repair and controls (OR, 1.0 [95% CI, 0.5-1.8]; P = .870). Age was not a significant moderator of graft success in patients with CP repair (r = 0.1 [95% CI, -0.2 to 0.3]; P = .689) or controls (r = -0.0 [95% CI, -0.1 to 0.1]; P = .952). Comparing mean differences between pre- and postoperative air-bone gap was not statistically significant in patients with CP repair and controls (0.2 dB [95% CI, -3.1 to 3.4]; P = .930). Odds of functional success (postoperative air-bone gap <20 dB) were not different between the groups (OR, 0.8 [95% CI, 0.5-1.4]; P = .450).

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis does not endorse anatomic or functional differences between patients with CP repair and controls after tympanoplasty. However, there is a paucity of evidence for younger children. Further studies are warranted to elucidate specific risk factors for tympanoplasty outcomes in young patients with previous CP repair.

Hearing outcomes in pediatric tympanoplasty and factors affecting surgical outcomes in the current era

OBJECTIVES

Type-1 tympanoplasty continues to be the treatment of choice for tympanic membrane perforations resulting from chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) in children, which is a principal cause of correctable hearing loss in the pediatric population. There is an ongoing debate about the surgical success rate, the factors affecting success as well as the best intervention time for this population group. This study assessed the outcome of Type-1 tympanoplasty in children in terms of 1) graft uptake and 2) hearing improvement as assessed by audiology.

METHODS

The study involved 40 patients aged 6 to ≤14 years suffering from tubotympanic chronic suppurative otitis media. The patients in the study had a central perforation of the pars tensa of the tympanic membrane. Pre-op investigations included Pure tone audiometry, Eustachian tube function test and nasopharyngeal x-ray. Type-1 tympanoplasty was performed on all patients. They were followed up at end of two months, six months, and one year postoperatively to assess surgical success and hearing outcomes.

RESULTS

Overall graft uptake and the surgical success rate was 80%. Postoperatively air-bone gap closure up to 5 dB was achieved in 62.5% of patients at the end of one year. A normal type A tympanometry curve was achieved in 75% of patients. There was a significant reduction in hearing handicap. The best results were obtained in the 9-10 years age group.

CONCLUSION

Tympanoplasty has a high success rate in children. There is a significant improvement in hearing post-surgery. There is a minimal impact of traditionally believed confounding factors. Considering the positive impact of improved hearing and reduced hearing disability, the authors suggest that surgeons should take young children up for tympanoplasty.

Comparing Myringoplasty to Type I Tympanoplasty in Tympanic Membrane Repair: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

To compare the anatomic success rates of type I tympanoplasty (tympanoplasty) versus myringoplasty. By our definition, tympanoplasty involves entering the middle ear via elevation of a tympanomeatal flap, while myringoplasty involves surgery to the drumhead without middle ear exposure.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Cochrane.

REVIEW METHODS

To be included, studies must have documented surgical technique, tympanic membrane (TM) perforation size (as % of TM), and success rate using tissue or alloplastic grafts. Exclusion criteria included series with more than 10% of patients with cholesteatoma or middle ear pathology. A meta-analysis of weighted summary proportions under the random effects model was performed, and proportion differences (PD) were calculated. A secondary analysis of hearing outcomes was performed.

RESULTS

Eighty-five studies met inclusion, with a tympanoplasty cohort of n = 7966 and n = 1759 for myringoplasty. For perforations, less than 50% of the TM, the success rate for tympanoplasty and myringoplasty was 90.2% and 91.4%, respectively (PD: 1.2%, p = .19). In perforations greater than 50%, tympanoplasty and myringoplasty success rates were 82.8% and 85.3%, respectively (PD: 2.5%, p = .29). For both procedures, perforations less than 50% of the TM had higher success rates than perforations greater than 50% of the TM (p < .01). Both techniques endorsed significant improvements to air-bone gap (ABG) metrics.

CONCLUSION

Our analysis suggests that the anatomic success rate is similar for tympanoplasty and myringoplasty, regardless of perforation size, and that smaller perforations experience higher success rates in both techniques. ABG outcomes were also similar between procedure techniques.

Current outcomes of myringoplasty in a European referral children's hospital

OBJECTIVES

Myringoplasty is a frequently performed procedure in children, with a heterogeneous failure rate. Our study aimed to evaluate the outcome of myringoplasty in a pediatric hospital and to identify which are risk factors for reperforation or poor hearing improvement after surgery.

METHODS

Preoperative and intraoperative variables between pediatric patients who had undergone myringoplasty with an intact tympanic membrane at follow-up and the cases with reperforation were compared. The same factors were investigated as potential predictors of audiological success. Pre and postoperative PTA and ABG were compared in the whole population, in structural success and failure groups and closure of ABG was calculated and used to compare the audiological outcomes between the two groups.

RESULTS

Parameters that affected the postoperative integrity of TM were age, the time between diagnosis and surgery, the intraoperative status of the middle ear, and secondhand smoke exposure. Early perforations occurred mostly after surgeries performed by trainees, while late perforations were more frequently in autumn. Myringoplasty, regardless of the structural outcome, can improve the ABG and PTA. No preoperative and intraoperative parameters affected the audiological outcome.

CONCLUSION

Pediatric myringoplasty is a safe and successful procedure that can improve hearing, regardless of the structural outcome. In light of our results, parameters to consider before surgery are age, the time between diagnosis and surgery, the intraoperative status of the middle ear, and secondhand smoke exposure.

Endoscopic transcanal tympanoplasty type I in children: Evolving experience in tragus perichondrium vs. acellular porcine small intestinal sub-mucosa grafts

OBJECTIVES

Endoscopic trans-canal tympanoplasty type I (ETT) is gradually diffusing worldwide. It mainly allows less invasive surgery in children with respect to a microscope approach by avoiding post-auricular access. The aim of this study is to illustrate our experience in endoscopic reconstruction of tympanic membrane, using autologous tragus perichondrium (TP) and non-autologous acellular porcine small intestinal sub-mucosa (SIS) as grafts.

METHODS

Between January 2011 and December 2020, the results of a prospective non-randomized series of consecutive ETT were analyzed. The primary outcome was closure rate at 6 months and secondary outcomes are closure rates associated with age, size of perforation, type of perforation and middle ear status, presence of myringosclerosis, type of graft, status of contralateral ear, adenoidectomy and pre-postoperative ABG change. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS statistical package.

RESULTS

One hundred and sixteen consecutive procedures, mean age 9.4 years (range 4-17 years), were evaluated. TP and SIS grafts were used in 65 (56%) and 51 (44%) procedures, respectively. Mean duration of surgical procedure was 53 ± 21 min for SIS and 77 ± 18 min for TP (P = 0.001) Total graft intake was 82.8%; TP and SIS intake were 86.2% and 78.4% (P = 0.3), respectively. Graft intake w.r.t. in age stratified age groups was not statistically significant. Average preoperative and postoperative air-bone gap was 12.1 ± 7.6 dB and 5.5 ± 3.8 dB, respectively (P = 0.001). The difference in closure rates was not significant. Neither intra- nor postoperative complications were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

In children, ETT is an applicable and less invasive technique compared to the microscope and offers less morbidity. The use of SIS contributes additional less invasiveness to endoscopic surgery by avoiding tragus harvesting with a comparable success rate and granting significantly less surgical duration.

Comparison of Inlay Cartilage Butterfly and Underlay Temporal Fascia Tympanoplasty

Objective

To systematically review the results of inlay cartilage butterfly tympanoplasty and standard underlay temporal fascia tympanoplasty for anatomic and functional end points.

Data Sources

PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, and Virtual Health Library (VHL/Lilacs) databases were searched from inception through April 2, 2021. No restrictions on language, publication year, or publication status were applied.

Review Methods

The meta-analysis included data from articles that met inclusion criteria and were extracted by 2 authors independently. The PRISMA statement was followed. Risk of Bias 2.0 and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale were used to assess risk of bias. The primary outcome was tympanic membrane closure rate. The secondary outcome was improvement of the air-bone gap.

Results

Ten studies were included, 9 cohort studies and 1 randomized clinical trial, with 577 patients. The graft take rate was 82.8% in the butterfly cartilage inlay tympanoplasty group and 85.2% in the temporal fascia underlay tympanoplasty group (relative risk, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.93-1.11; I² = 42%, P = .08). The air-bone gap reduction ranged from 6.1 to 11.28 in the butterfly cartilage inlay group and from 5.2 to 12.66 in the temporal fascia underlay group, with a mean difference between groups of −2.08 (95% CI, −3.23 to −0.94; I² = 58%, P = .04), favoring temporal fascia underlay.

Conclusion

The 2 tympanoplasty techniques analyzed here produced similar results in terms of successful reconstruction of the tympanic membrane and reduction in the air-bone gap. Neither age nor follow-up length of time influenced outcomes.

Audiological and Surgical Correlates of Myringoplasty Associated with Ethnography in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

INTRODUCTION

This retrospective cohort study of myringoplasty performed at Tauranga Hospital, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand from 2010 to 2020 sought to identify predictive factors for successful myringoplasty with particular consideration given to the known high prevalence of middle ear conditions in New Zealand Māori.

METHODS

Outcomes were surgical success (perforation closure at 1 month) and hearing improvement, which were correlated against demographic, pathological, and surgical variables.

RESULTS

174 patients underwent 221 procedures (139 in children under 18 years old), with 66.1% of patients being New Zealand Māori and 24.7% New Zealand European ethnicity. Normalized by population demographics, New Zealand Māori were 2.3 times overrepresented, whereas New Zealand Europeans were underrepresented by 0.34 times (a 6.8 times relative treatment differential). The rate of surgical success was 84.6%, independent of patient age, gender, and ethnicity. A postauricular approach and the use of temporalis fascia grafts were both correlated with optimal success rates, whereas early postoperative infection (<1 month) was correlated with ∼3 times increased failure. Myringoplasty improved hearing in 83.1% of patients (average air-bone gap reduction of 10.7 dB). New Zealand Māori patients had ∼4 times greater preoperative conductive hearing loss compared to New Zealand Europeans, but benefited the most from myringoplasty.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

New Zealand Māori and pediatric populations required greater access to myringoplasty, achieving good surgical and audiological outcomes. Myringoplasty is highly effective and significantly improves hearing, particularly for New Zealand Māori. Pediatric success rates were equivalent to adults, supporting timely myringoplasty to minimize morbidity from untreated perforations.

Pediatric myringoplasty: A study of effectiveness and influencing factors

OBJECTIVES

Until today, there is no consensus about the ideal age for a myringoplasty in children. In this retrospective study, we study our own series to characterize different prognostic factors to answer questions/dilemmas such as when to carry out surgery in a child with an ear drum perforation, when to postpone surgery or when to use a different technique to improve the outcome after tympanoplasty.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study on charts of 97 children who underwent a myringoplasty. The same surgeon (IF) treated all included children and with the same classical surgical technique: retro-auricular approach and microscopic underlay placement of fascia of the musculus temporalis. Children with associated disease (cholesteatoma, revision surgery and ossicular chain defects) were excluded. All children had a minimum follow up of 12 months. A successful procedure was defined as a closed eardrum after 12 months and an air bone gap <20 dB. Prognostic factors were inventoried and studied.

RESULTS

Success rate after myringoplasty is 80.2% in this pediatric case series. Age was not a statistical significant prognostic factor. Only the history of an adenoidectomy had a positive effect on tympanic closure (p = 0.047). A negative prognostic factor was the size of the perforation: large perforations showed only 42.9% eardrum closure (p = 0.040). There was a complication rate of 28.9%, in which formation of granulation tissue and ear discharge were most common but easily treated.

CONCLUSION

Tympanoplasty type 1 with musculus temporalis fascia in underlay is a safe and successful technique in children of all ages with eardrum perforations. Our data suggests using a different technique (cartilage tympanoplasty) in cases with large perforation. Postponing surgery is not advocated, unless perhaps in children with poor Eustachian function or adenoidhyperplasia.

Pediatric tympanoplasty: A paradigm shift?

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Pediatric tympanoplasty is still a matter of controversy. Many factors have been associated with the surgical outcome of tympanoplasty in children, including age, size and location of the perforation, surgical technique and Eustachian tube dysfunction. The optimal approach and timing of this surgery remains controversial. This study aims to evaluate the outcomes of pediatric tympanoplasty and analyze factors that may influence the success of this surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted which included children from 5 to 15 years old that underwent tympanoplasty with or without ossiculoplasty for chronic tympanic perforation in a tertiary care university hospital over a 6-year period. Patients were divided in two age groups (5 to ≤10 years old and >10 to 15 years old). Children with cholesteatoma or that underwent simultaneous mastoidectomy were excluded.

RESULTS

83 cases were included. Average age was 10.7±2.1 years and mean follow-up time was 9 months. Of the cases, 21.7% were revision surgeries. Successful closure of the tympanic membrane perforation was achieved in 76.9% of primary surgeries and 55.6% of revision surgeries. Most of the patients improved their conductive hearing-deficit. No statistical difference in graft failure was noted regarding age, presence of craniofacial dysmorphism and surgical approach. The use of simple graft (temporal muscle fascia or tragus perichondrium) was significantly superior in primary surgery (p<0.05). We also found a significant difference between the location of the perforation and revision surgery, with anterior perforations showing a higher risk (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric tympanoplasty is effective in repairing chronic tympanic perforations. In our study, accepted predictors of surgical outcome such as age and surgical approach were not associated with graft failure.

Pediatric tympanoplasty: A paradigm shift?

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Pediatric tympanoplasty is still a matter of controversy. Many factors have been associated with the surgical outcome of tympanoplasty in children, including age, size and location of the perforation, surgical technique and Eustachian tube dysfunction. The optimal approach and timing of this surgery remains controversial. This study aims to evaluate the outcomes of pediatric tympanoplasty and analyze factors that may influence the success of this surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted which included children from 5 to 15 years old that underwent tympanoplasty with or without ossiculoplasty for chronic tympanic perforation in a tertiary care university hospital over a 6-year period. Patients were divided in two age groups (5 to ≤10 years old and >10 to 15 years old). Children with cholesteatoma or that underwent simultaneous mastoidectomy were excluded.

RESULTS

83 cases were included. Average age was 10.7±2.1 years and mean follow-up time was 9 months. Of the cases, 21.7% were revision surgeries. Successful closure of the tympanic membrane perforation was achieved in 76.9% of primary surgeries and 55.6% of revision surgeries. Most of the patients improved their conductive hearing-deficit. No statistical difference in graft failure was noted regarding age, presence of craniofacial dysmorphism and surgical approach. The use of simple graft (temporal muscle fascia or tragus perichondrium) was significantly superior in primary surgery (p<0.05). We also found a significant difference between the location of the perforation and revision surgery, with anterior perforations showing a higher risk (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric tympanoplasty is effective in repairing chronic tympanic perforations. In our study, accepted predictors of surgical outcome such as age and surgical approach were not associated with graft failure.