Type I tympanoplasty: influencing factors.

Type I tympanoplasties utilizing an underlay technique with temporalis fascia performed at the Medical University associated hospitals over a 5-year period were reviewed. Cases were excluded if follow-up was less than 18 months or if a previous tympanoplasty had been performed. The remaining 71 cases, 40 adults and 25 children, were analyzed for influencing factors. The overall success rate was 89%. The age of the patient, the length of time the ear had been dry, and the presence of infection at the time of surgery had no influence on the success rate. The two factors which adversely influenced the success rate were the presence of a near total or total perforation and the presence of bilateral perforations.