Hearing loss following myringoplasty - implications for informed consent.

BACKGROUND

There are many reports of operations performed to successfully close ear drum perforations. Hearing deterioration after myringoplasty is not a widely published topic. This paper presents an audit of this complication.

METHODS

A six-year retrospective analysis of a series of myringoplasty operations was performed using electronic patient records. Patients with post-operative hearing loss were identified and those with hearing loss greater than 10 dB were further scrutinised.

RESULTS

Out of 187 patients who underwent myringoplasty procedures, 44 (23.53 per cent) experienced a reduction in hearing thresholds. In seven cases (3.74 per cent), the hearing loss was greater than 10 dB. A case note review revealed no obvious predictive factors, although posterior perforations and the possibility of ossicular chain manipulation were considered.

CONCLUSION

Hearing loss following myringoplasty is not rare, and this may alter the consent process for this procedure.