Bilateral type 1 tympanoplasty in chronic otitis media.

A theoretical risk of iatrogenic sensorineural hearing loss during surgery has induced a reluctance to perform bilateral tympanoplasty type I among some otosurgeons. This paper presents results of bilateral surgery in 14 patients (28 ears). Fourteen patients with bilateral, dry tympanic membrane perforations caused by chronic otitis media were selected prospectively for bilateral tympanoplasty type I (28 ears) at a tertiary referral center. All patients had a HL corresponding to the size and localization of the perforation (no suspicion of ossicular chain defect or other pathology). Mean age was 37.5 years. There were seven males and seven females in our study. All but five ears were operated through an endaural or endomeatal approach, and five ears operated by postaural approach. The Underlay technique was used in all cases. Total ten cases operated using Fascia Lata and four cases operated using Temporalis fascia as graft material. Follow-up examination and hearing tests (pure tone audiometry) were performed up to 20 months after surgery. The graft take rate was 96%, with no retraction pockets or displaced grafts observed during follow-up. One patient had small residual perforation which healed at the end of 3 months. Hearing improved significantly, and the air-bone gap was significantly reduced. The air-bone gap was closed to within 10 dB in 92% and within 20 dB in 100% of the ears. Surprisingly good hearing was found during postoperative, bilateral ear canal gauze packing. Iatrogenic sensorineural HL did not occur. We conclude that bilateral myringoplasty is safe, with good results, reduces costs, and leaves the patient satisfied. The hearing impairment during postoperative ear canal packing is surprisingly modest and readily acceptable by the patients.