Eustachian tube function and healing after myringoplasty.

The function of the eustachian tube (ET) was measured preoperatively among patients with dry, chronic, tympanic membrane perforations. Tympanograms were obtained 1 to 2 years postoperatively. A significantly better healing rate was found in the group classified as "good" ET-function. Also, a significantly greater number of tympanograms with no deflections were found in the "bad" ET-function group. Thus, the ET-testing allows an identification of patients who must be followed up with extra care during the postoperative period, in order that complications such as reperforation of the tympanic membrane may be avoided.