Paediatric myringoplasty in India.

In comparison to chronic non-suppurative otitis media, the incidence of chronic suppurative otitis media is no less in developing countries. This is due to lack of consciousness, low socioeconomic condition, and increased susceptibility to upper respiratory tract infection. Thirty-two ears of 20 patients between the ages of 5 and 12 years are included in this study who underwent myringoplasty, and were followed up for 3 months to 1 year postoperatively. Successful take of the graft was 60% in patients of 5 to 8 year age group, and 72.7% in 9 to 12 year age group. Postoperative air conduction was elevated up to 10 dB level in all the successful ears. In paediatric patients, the tympanic membrane perforation should be repaired to reduce the enormous degree of morbidity, and economic and social disability which afflict so many hundred thousands of people.