Outcomes of Endoscopic Tympanoplasty for Large Perforations: A Multicenter Retrospective Study in South Korea

Article information

Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol. 2023;16(2):125-131
Publication date (electronic) : 2023 February 16
doi : https://doi.org/10.21053/ceo.2022.01599
1Korean Endoscopic Ear Surgery Study Group, Seoul, Korea
2Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Pusan National University Hospital and Biomedical Research Institute, Busan, Korea
3Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
4Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Dankook University Hospital, Cheonan, Korea
5Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
6Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
7Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
8Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, Korea
9Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Changwon, Korea
10Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon, Korea
Corresponding author: Dong Gu Hur Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, 11 Samjeongja-ro, Seongsan-gu, Changwon 51472, Korea Tel: +82-55-214-3860, Fax: +82-55-214-3262, Email: mdhur@hanmail.net
Co-Corresponding author: Jong Dae Lee Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, 170 Jomaru-ro, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon 14584, Korea Tel: +82-32-621-6951, Fax: +82-32-621-5018, Email: ljdent@schmc.ac.kr
*

These authors contributed equally to this work.

Received 2022 November 10; Revised 2023 January 30; Accepted 2023 February 16.

Abstract

Objectives.

Endoscopic tympanoplasty (ET) provides minimally invasive transcanal access to the middle ear and improves middle ear visibility for the treatment of tympanic membrane (TM) perforations. However, the literature on surgical outcomes for large TM perforations is lacking and limited to small series. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical benefits of ET for large TM perforations.

Methods.

This retrospective cohort study was conducted at nine tertiary referral hospitals in South Korea, where 252 patients who underwent ET as primary surgery from September 2019 to August 2021 were included. The outcome measures included the graft success rate and pre- and postoperative audiometric data.

Results.

In 239 patients, the graft success rate of ET for large or subtotal perforations was 86.2% (206 patients), while the graft failure rate was 13.8% (33 patients). The graft failure rate was directly correlated with surgical techniques, including overlay and medial or lateral underlay tympanoplasty (P=0.027). Lateral underlay tympanoplasty showed the most favorable results. Sex, laterality, etiology, site and size of perforation, operation time, and graft materials did not vary significantly between the graft success and failure groups (P>0.05). The mean air-bone gap (ABG) improved significantly in both groups (graft success group: 10.0±0.6 dB and graft failure group: 7.7±0.3 dB; P<0.001). However, the ABG improvement did not significantly differ between the groups. Analysis of covariance revealed that the postoperative 500-Hz bone conduction threshold improved after successful ET (adjusted coefficient, –11.351; 95% confidence interval, –21.491 to –1.212; P=0.028).

Conclusion.

This study involved the largest population to date of large TM perforations treated by ET. The study findings suggest that ET is feasible and effective in treating large TM perforations.

INTRODUCTION

Tympanoplasty is a surgical technique for repairing tympanic membrane (TM) perforation and restoring the hearing and normal function of the middle ear [1,2]. Most otologists have commonly performed conventional tympanoplasty via the microscopic approach with postauricular skin incisions. However, minimally invasive surgical reconstruction techniques for tympanoplasty have been constantly developed and have high surgical success rates [1-4]. With recent advances in high-definition endoscopic technology, the role of transcanal endoscopic ear surgery is expanding, particularly endoscopic tympanoplasty (ET) for TM perforations [5-12]. ET is one of the most widely used techniques for endoscopic ear surgery, as it offers better visualization of the anterior TM and reduces the need for canaloplasty [1,2]. In addition, ET allows the patient to recover promptly after surgery without external skin incisions, such as endaural vertical and postauricular incisions [13].

The final goal of tympanoplasty is achieving the complete closure of the TM, with normal middle ear function [14]. The graft success rate of tympanoplasty varies depending on the size of the perforation [2,15]. With a large TM perforation, the graft success rate is lower than that for small perforation, while the recurrence rate is higher because of the inability to visualize the anterior part of the TM and the lesser blood supply resulting from a narrowed graft-overlapping surface with the residual TM [16,17]. ET can resolve the inability to observe the anterior TM. However, reliable data on the efficacy and outcome of ET for large perforations are lacking due to the small number of cases. This study aimed to determine the clinical benefits of ET in large perforations by evaluating the outcomes of ET for large perforations at nine tertiary medical centers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients

This retrospective multicenter cohort study included 252 patients who underwent ET as a primary surgery at nine tertiary referral hospitals in South Korea from September 2019 to August 2021. The preoperative work-up included temporal bone computed tomography, pure-tone audiometry, and endoscopic examination. All surgeries were performed using the transcanal endoscopic approach. In lateral underlay ET, the autologous graft was shaped to the size of the perforation and inserted lateral to the malleus handle, keeping the edges medial to the fibrous annulus. In medial underlay ET, the difference was that the autologous graft was underlaid medial to the TM remnant and the malleus handle [2]. The inclusion criteria for this study were as follows: chronic otitis media with dry and stable TM perforations or traumatic TM perforations. Large TM perforation was defined as perforation >50% of the total TM (more than three quadrants). The center of perforation located to the anterior of the imaginary vertical line across the manubrium was defined as anterior large TM perforation, while the center of perforation located to the posterior of the line was defined as posterior large TM perforation. And central large TM perforation was defined as the central of perforation located on an imaginary vertical line. Patients aged ≥19 years who had a follow-up of at least six months after surgery were included. Patients with active chronic otitis media or cholesteatoma or those requiring simultaneous mastoidectomy were excluded.

This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of each participating hospital, and the requirement for written informed consent was waived owing to the retrospective nature of the study.

Data collection and outcomes

Data on patient demographics, graft success rate, hearing outcomes before and after surgery, surgical records, operation time, postoperative complications, and follow-up were collected. The primary outcome was graft success rate, defined as complete closure of the TM 6 months after the operation. Graft failure was defined as recurrent perforation after surgery. The secondary outcome was the hearing test results. Pre- and postoperative hearing threshold was assessed for air conduction (AC) and bone conduction (BC) by pure tone audiometry (PTA). Postoperative audiometric data were collected at least 2 months postoperatively. The hearing threshold for PTA was calculated as the average of the 500, 1,000, 2,000, and 4,000 Hz frequencies. The air-bone gap (ABG) was also analyzed for each patient pre- and postoperatively.

Statistical analysis

The significance of the differences between groups was tested using the Kruskal-Wallis test or Mann-Whitney U-test (Wilcoxon rank-sum test) for continuous data and the chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test for categorical data. All data are presented as mean±standard deviation. Statistical significance was defined as P<0.05. Statistical analyses were conducted using the R software version 4.1.2 (R Core Team, R Foundation for Statistical Computing).

RESULTS

Altogether, 252 patients who underwent ET as primary surgery met the inclusion criteria. Of the selected patients, 13 were lost to follow-up and were therefore excluded from our study. Patient demographics and characteristics are summarized in Table 1. In 239 patients, the graft success rate of ET for large or subtotal perforations was 86.2% (206 patients), while the graft failure rate was 13.8% (33 patients). The mean age at the time of the first surgery was 54.6±14.6 years, and the mean operation time was 65.6±24.7 minutes, respectively. As for laterality, 117 (49%) left and 122 (51%) right perforations were treated. There were 154 men (64.4%) and 85 women (35.6%) in the study population. The mean length of follow-up was 9.24±6.51 months. There were 216 (79.1%) patients with chronic otitis media with dry and stable TM perforations, whereas 23 patients (20.9%) had traumatic TM perforations. The TM perforations were categorized based on the site and size and divided into anterior (74 patients, 31.0%), posterior (38 patients, 15.9%), central (127 patients, 53.1%), large (192 patients, 80.3%), and subtotal (47 patients, 19.7%). The chosen grafting materials were autologous tragal perichondrium in 222 operations (92.9%) and tragal cartilage in 17 operations (7.1%). All patients underwent transcanal ET using the overlay (5 patients, 2.1%), medial underlay (162 patients, 67.8%), and lateral underlay (72 patients, 30.1%) techniques. No patient developed graft lateralization or blunting, and there were no cases of major or minor intraoperative complications.

Demographic and baseline characteristics of the patients

Sex, laterality, etiology, the site and size of perforation, operation time, and graft materials did not vary significantly between the graft success and failure groups (P>0.05). However, age and the surgical technique significantly differed between the groups (P=0.012 and P=0.027, respectively). In the graft failure group, graft failure was confirmed at a mean follow-up of 3.57±3.91 months after surgery. The site and size of the re-perforation were categorized as anterior (26 patients, 78.8%), posterior (3 patients, 9.1%), central (4 patients, 12.1%), small (29 patients, 87.9%), medium (3 patients, 9.1%), and large (1 patient, 3.0%).

The preoperative and postoperative PTA are shown in Tables 2 and 3, respectively. PTA at each frequency did not vary significantly between the graft success and failure groups (P>0.05), except for preoperative AC at 500 Hz (P=0.048). The mean ABG improved significantly in both groups (graft success group; 10.0±0.6 dB and graft failure group; 7.7±0.3 dB, P<0.001). However, the ABG improvement was not significantly different between the groups. Postoperative BC significantly improved compared to preoperative BC at 500, 1,000, and 4,000 Hz (P<0.001, P=0.015, and P=0.002, respectively). Interestingly, analysis of covariance revealed that the postoperative 500-Hz BC threshold improved after successful ET (adjusted coefficient, –11.351; 95% confidence interval [CI], –21.491 to –1.212; P=0.028) (Fig. 1).

Preoperative and postoperative hearing results at each frequency

Changes in hearing outcomes

Fig. 1.

Regression analysis comparing postoperative improvements in air conduction (AC) and bone conduction (BC) between tympanoplasty with graft failure and tympanoplasty with graft success. (A) AC at 500 Hz, (B) AC at 1,000 Hz, (C) AC at 2,000 Hz, (D) AC at 4,000 Hz, (E) BC at 500 Hz, (F) BC at 1,000 Hz, (G) BC at 2,000 Hz, (H) BC at 4,000 Hz. Post, postoperative; Pre, preoperative.

DISCUSSION

Since tympanoplasty was first performed in 1878, endoscopic ear surgery has been increasingly performed owing to recent technological progress [18]. Previous studies on endoscopic ear surgery have reported minimal morbidity and a high level of safety [19-22]. Endoscopic ear surgery has a shorter operative time without external incisions and can avoid mastoidectomy [23,24]. Previous studies have supported the efficacy of ET [1,2,13]. However, reliable data on the efficacy and outcomes of ET in large perforations have been lacking due to the small number of cases. This study analyzed the largest series of outcomes of ET for large TM perforations to date and showed favorable surgical outcomes, with a graft success rate of 86.2%, among 239 patients with either chronic otitis media with dry and stable TM perforations or traumatic TM perforations. In this study, tragal perichondrium was most often used to reconstruct large perforations, whereas tragal cartilage was rarely used. The temporalis fascia is the most widely used material for autologous grafts in tympanoplasty.

However, due to its location and accessibility, tragal perichondrium is widely used for transcanal ET. A previous study revealed that the success rate in patients with large perforations in the perichondrium group was comparable to the results in the temporalis fascia group [14]. In this study, a total endoscopic approach was used in all patients. The graft success rate for TM perforation was similar to that reported elsewhere in the literature, ranging between 84% and 96% in ET and between 78% and 90% in microscopic tympanoplasty [5,6,12]. However, unlike other research, this study included patients with large TM perforations; furthermore, the graft failure rate was directly correlated to the surgical techniques used, including overlay and medial or lateral underlay tympanoplasty (P=0.027).

In this study, the lateral underlay technique had a higher success rate than the overlay or medial underlay techniques. A previous study also reported that the lateral underlay technique had a higher graft success rate than the medial underlay technique [2]. An advantage of the lateral underlay technique is that it provides good support and limits the reduction of the middle ear space due to placement of the graft lateral to the malleus [2]. Regardless of the site and size of the perforation, placement of the graft medial to the malleus may reduce the middle ear space in cases of hypertrophied middle ear mucosa or a retracted malleus [25]. However, overlay and lateral underlay tympanoplasty are more demanding in terms of the surgical technique, leading to a longer operation time [26]. Because this study was a retrospective multicenter cohort analysis, the choice of surgical technique may be influenced by the surgeon’s experience and preferences. Surgical outcomes may vary due to differences in several variables and preferred surgical techniques. However, the overall graft success rate of ET for large TM perforations showed favorable outcomes compared to the conventional microscopic approach [4-6,14]. In addition, no patients developed graft lateralization or blunting, and no major or minor intraoperative complications occurred in this study. The use of a single hand, which is challenging when using an endoscope, is not disadvantageous for achieving successful grafts for large TM perforations. Choi et al. [2] reported that the success rate was lower for large TM perforations owing to the limited exposure of the anterior TM. However, in this study, there were no significant differences between the graft success and failure groups in terms of the site and size of the perforation (P=0.851 and P=0.156, respectively). During ET, surgeons may obtain a clear, high-definition surgical view of the anterior TM, and ensure anterior graft placement [1,2,13]. In addition, the hearing threshold showed significant improvements in the PTA and mean ABG in this study. PTA at each frequency and ABG improvement did not vary significantly between the groups. However, the postoperative BC at each frequency improved significantly compared to the preoperative BC (P<0.05), except at 2,000 Hz (P=0.493). A previous study revealed that the improvement in BC after ear surgery was remarkable once advanced pathological changes in the middle ear were removed [25]. The permanent BC threshold shift is believed to have been observed as a result of the passage of inflammatory agents into the inner ear through the round window.

Meanwhile, transient BC threshold shift may be induced by occlusion of the round window with soft tissue, which may also be a result of stiffening of the ossicular chain [25]. Moreover, interestingly, successful tympanoplasty apparently resulted in beneficial shifts in the BC threshold at 500 Hz (adjusted coefficient, –11.351; 95% CI, –21.491 to –1.212; P=0.028). Changes in the middle ear apparatus can influence the BC threshold [26]. In chronic otitis media, pathologic changes such as mechanical occlusion of the round window with granulation tissue and stiffening of the ossicular chain, which result from middle ear infection, can lead to an impaired BC threshold [26-28]. Improvement in BC is observed in almost 10% of patients treated surgically [26,27], especially at lower frequencies [29]. It is believed that the lining of the middle ear can return to normal after the removal of granulomatous lesions. Additionally, the toxic influence of inflammatory mediators on inner ear function may be removed. However, the exact mechanism remains unknown. Therefore, further research will be needed to reveal the mechanism by which the postoperative 500-Hz BC threshold was improved after successful ET.

This study has some limitations. First, because this study was a retrospective cohort analysis, missing data were unavoidable, which may have affected the results. Second, the type of surgical technique (overlay, medial underlay, or lateral underlay) was decided according to the preference of each surgeon, which may have caused bias. This multicenter study provided a large sample size, statistical power, and more definitive conclusions. However, the skill and decision-making of the surgeons in this cohort could not be controlled because the cases involved multiple surgeons across nine institutions.

In conclusion, this study involved the largest case series to date of patients treated with ET for large TM perforations. Regardless of the site and size of the perforation, ET is effective in treating large TM perforations, without the need for an external incision. Based on our data, ET is an alternative technique for managing large TM perforations. These results may help guide surgeons to achieve optimal results in the selection of surgical methods for patients with large TM perforations.

HIGHLIGHTS

▪ Endoscopic tympanoplasty is effective in treating large tympanic membrane perforations.

▪ The graft success rate was 86.2% in 239 patients with large tympanic membrane perforations.

▪ The graft failure rate was correlated with surgical techniques, with lateral underlay tympanoplasty showing more favorable results than overlay or medial underlay tympanoplasty.

▪ Successful tympanoplasty resulted in beneficial shifts in the bone conduction threshold at 500 Hz.

Notes

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS

Conceptualization: IJM, DGH, JDL. Data curation: JEC, WSK, ISM. Formal analysis: SKK, HHC, IWL. Methodology: SWC, JWC. Visualization: SWC, IJM. Writing–original draft: SWC. Writing–review & editing: IJM, DGH, JDL.

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Soonchunhyang University Research Fund. This work was supported by a National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korean government (MSIT) (no. NRF-2022R1C1C1004183).

References

1. Marchioni D, Gazzini L, De Rossi S, Di Maro F, Sacchetto L, Carner M, et al. The management of tympanic membrane perforation with endoscopic type I tympanoplasty. Otol Neurotol 2020;Feb. 41(2):214–21.
2. Choi SW, Kim H, Na HS, Lee JW, Lee S, Oh SJ, et al. Comparison of medial underlay and lateral underlay endoscopic type I tympanoplasty for anterior perforations of the tympanic membrane. Otol Neurotol 2021;Sep. 42(8):1177–83.
3. Marchioni D, Alicandri-Ciufelli M, Molteni G, Genovese E, Presutti L. Endoscopic tympanoplasty in patients with attic retraction pockets. Laryngoscope 2010;Sep. 120(9):1847–55.
4. Dundar R, Kulduk E, Soy FK, Aslan M, Hanci D, Muluk NB, et al. Endoscopic versus microscopic approach to type 1 tympanoplasty in children. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2014;Jul. 78(7):1084–9.
5. Ayache S. Cartilaginous myringoplasty: the endoscopic transcanal procedure. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2013;Mar. 270(3):853–60.
6. Furukawa T, Watanabe T, Ito T, Kubota T, Kakehata S. Feasibility and advantages of transcanal endoscopic myringoplasty. Otol Neurotol 2014;Apr. 35(4):e140–5.
7. Tseng CC, Lai MT, Wu CC, Yuan SP, Ding YF. Endoscopic transcanal myringoplasty for anterior perforations of the tympanic membrane. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2016;Nov. 142(11):1088–93.
8. Tseng CC, Lai MT, Wu CC, Yuan SP, Ding YF. Endoscopic transcanal myringoplasty for tympanic perforations: an outpatient minimally invasive procedure. Auris Nasus Larynx 2018;Jun. 45(3):433–9.
9. Harugop AS, Mudhol RS, Godhi RA. A comparative study of endoscope assisted myringoplasty and micrsoscope assisted myringoplasty. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2008;Dec. 60(4):298–302.
10. Anzola JF, Nogueira JF. Endoscopic techniques in tympanoplasty. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 2016;Oct. 49(5):1253–64.
11. Tseng CC, Lai MT, Wu CC, Yuan SP, Ding YF. Comparison of endoscopic transcanal myringoplasty and endoscopic type I tympanoplasty in repairing medium-sized tympanic perforations. Auris Nasus Larynx 2017;Dec. 44(6):672–7.
12. Garcia Lde B, Moussalem GF, Andrade JS, Mangussi-Gomes J, Cruz OL, Penido Nde O, et al. Transcanal endoscopic myringoplasty: a case series in a university center. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol 2016;May-Jun. 82(3):321–5.
13. Choi N, Noh Y, Park W, Lee JJ, Yook S, Choi JE, et al. Comparison of endoscopic tympanoplasty to microscopic tympanoplasty. Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol 2017;Mar. 10(1):44–9.
14. Chen CK, Hsu HC, Wang M. Endoscopic tympanoplasty with post-conchal perichondrium in repairing large-sized eardrum perforations. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2022;Dec. 279(12):5667–74.
15. Faramarzi M, Bagheri F, Roosta S, Jahangiri R. Application of posterior canal skin flap for the repair of large tympanic membrane perforations. Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol 2022;Feb. 7(2):578–83.
16. Kulduk E, Dundar R, Soy FK, Guler OK, Yukkaldiran A, Iynen I, et al. Treatment of large tympanic membrane perforations: medial to malleus versus lateral to malleus. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2015;Jun. 67(2):173–9.
17. Dispenza F, Battaglia AM, Salvago P, Martines F. Determinants of failure in the reconstruction of the tympanic membrane: a case-control study. Iran J Otorhinolaryngol 2018;Nov. 30(101):341–6.
18. House WF. Myringoplasty. AMA Arch Otolaryngol 1960;Mar. 71:399–404.
19. Gurgel RK, Jackler RK, Dobie RA, Popelka GR. A new standardized format for reporting hearing outcome in clinical trials. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2012;Nov. 147(5):803–7.
20. Presutti L, Gioacchini FM, Alicandri-Ciufelli M, Villari D, Marchioni D. Results of endoscopic middle ear surgery for cholesteatoma treatment: a systematic review. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital 2014;Jun. 34(3):153–7.
21. Kozin ED, Gulati S, Kaplan AB, Lehmann AE, Remenschneider AK, Landegger LD, et al. Systematic review of outcomes following observational and operative endoscopic middle ear surgery. Laryngoscope 2015;May. 125(5):1205–14.
22. Marchioni D, Alicandri-Ciufelli M, Gioacchini FM, Bonali M, Presutti L. Transcanal endoscopic treatment of benign middle ear neoplasms. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2013;Nov. 270(12):2997–3004.
23. Presutti L, Marchioni D, Mattioli F, Villari D, Alicandri-Ciufelli M. Endoscopic management of acquired cholesteatoma: our experience. J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2008;Aug. 37(4):481–7.
24. Marchioni D, Villari D, Alicandri-Ciufelli M, Piccinini A, Presutti L. Endoscopic open technique in patients with middle ear cholesteatoma. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2011;Nov. 268(11):1557–63.
25. Botti C, Fermi M, Amorosa L, Ghidini A, Bianchin G, Presutti L, et al. Cochlear function after type-1 tympanoplasty: endoscopic versus microscopic approach, a comparative study. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2020;Feb. 277(2):361–6.
26. Tuz M, Dogru H, Uygur K, Gedikli O. Improvement in bone conduction threshold after tympanoplasty. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2000;Dec. 123(6):775–8.
27. Vartiainen E, Karjalainen S. Factors influencing sensorineural hearing loss in chronic otitis media. Am J Otolaryngol 1987;Jan-Feb. 8(1):13–5.
28. Paparella MM, Morizono T, Le CT, Mancini F, Sipila P, Choo YB, et al. Sensorineural hearing loss in otitis media. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1984;Nov-Dec. 93(6 Pt 1):623–9.
29. Dumich PS, Harner SG. Cochlear function in chronic otitis media. Laryngoscope 1983;May. 93(5):583–6.

Article information Continued

Fig. 1.

Regression analysis comparing postoperative improvements in air conduction (AC) and bone conduction (BC) between tympanoplasty with graft failure and tympanoplasty with graft success. (A) AC at 500 Hz, (B) AC at 1,000 Hz, (C) AC at 2,000 Hz, (D) AC at 4,000 Hz, (E) BC at 500 Hz, (F) BC at 1,000 Hz, (G) BC at 2,000 Hz, (H) BC at 4,000 Hz. Post, postoperative; Pre, preoperative.

Table 1.

Demographic and baseline characteristics of the patients

Variable Graft success (n=206) Graft failure (n=33) Total (n=239) P-value
Sex
 Male:female 135:71 19:14 154:85 0.490
Age (yr) 55.5±14.3 48.7±15.9 54.6±14.6 0.012*
Perforation side
 Left:right 101:105 16:17 117:122 1
Etiology
 COM:traumatic perforation 186:20 30:3 216:23 1
Aeration of mastoid air cell
 Complete:partial:absent 126:69:11 16:16:1 142:85:12 0.239
Site of perforation
 Anterior:posterior:central 65:33:108 9:5:19 74:38:127 0.851
Size of perforation
 Large (≥50%, <75%):subtotal (≥75%) 169:37 23:10 192:47 0.156
TSP 111 (53.9) 14 (42.4) 125 (52.3) 0.300
TSP at perforation margin 85 (41.3) 13 (39.4) 98 (41.0) 0.990
Operation time (min) 66.0±24.4 63.4±26.7 65.6±24.7 0.534
Graft material
 Perichondrium:cartilage 189:17 32:1 222:17 0.139
Surgical technique
 Overlay:medial underlay:lateral underlay 4:137:65 1:25:7 5:162:72 0.027*

Values are presented as mean±standard deviation or number (%).

COM, chronic otitis media; TSP, tympanosclerotic plaques.

*

P<0.05.

Table 2.

Preoperative and postoperative hearing results at each frequency

Variable Graft success (n=206) Graft failure (n=33) Total (n=239) P-value
Preoperative AC (dB)
 500 Hz 49.9±19.4 42.7±17.9 48.9±19.4 0.048*
 1,000 Hz 46.4±20.1 39.5±16.7 45.5±19.8 0.079
 2,000 Hz 45.8±17.8 39.4±14.5 44.9±17.5 0.073
 4,000 Hz 55.5±21.2 50.0±21.0 54.7±21.2 0.211
 Average 48.4±17.4 41.9±14.6 47.5±17.2 0.072
Postoperative AC (dB)
 500 Hz 33.8±19.0 29.7±15.8 33.2±18.6 0.265
 1,000 Hz 34.9±19.4 32.4±16.1 34.6±19.0 0.757
 2,000 Hz 36.0±19.1 34.4±17.7 35.8±18.9 0.774
 4,000 Hz 49.1±23.0 44.7±24.0 48.5±23.1 0.274
 Average 37.5±18.2 34.7±16.0 37.1±17.9 0.499
Preoperative BC (dB)
 500 Hz 29.2±20.6 22.1±10.9 28.2±19.7 0.051
 1,000 Hz 25.0±17.3 21.5±12.5 24.5±16.7 0.481
 2,000 Hz 28.4±17.4 22.7±13.2 27.7±17.0 0.103
 4,000 Hz 27.5±19.4 22.9±17.4 26.8±19.2 0.283
 Average 27.3±16.1 22.2±11.3 26.6±15.6 0.133
Postoperative BC (dB)
 500 Hz 24.8±15.4 22.1±12.9 24.4±15.1 0.375
 1,000 Hz 23.0±18.8 20.0±13.9 22.6±18.2 0.598
 2,000 Hz 28.7±17.7 23.8±15.5 28.0±17.5 0.138
 4,000 Hz 29.3±20.0 25.6±19.5 28.8±20.0 0.343
 Average 26.3±16.3 22.7±13.5 25.8±15.9 0.292

Values are presented as mean±standard deviation.

AC, air conduction; BC, bone conduction.

*

P<0.05.

Table 3.

Changes in hearing outcomes

Variable Preoperative hearing level (n=239) Postoperative hearing level (n=239) P-value
Air conduction (dB)
 500 Hz 48.9±19.4 33.2±18.6 <0.001*
 1,000 Hz 45.5±19.8 34.6±19.0 <0.001*
 2,000 Hz 44.9±17.5 35.8±18.9 <0.001*
 4,000 Hz 54.7±21.2 48.5±23.1 <0.001*
 Average 47.5±17.2 37.1±17.9 <0.001*
Bone conduction (dB)
 500 Hz 28.2±19.7 24.4±15.1 <0.001*
 1,000 Hz 24.5±16.7 22.6±18.2 0.015*
 2,000 Hz 27.7±17.0 28.0±17.5 0.493
 4,000 Hz 26.8±19.2 28.8±20.0 0.002*
 Average 26.6±15.6 25.8±15.9 0.095

Values are presented as mean±standard deviation.

*

P<0.05.