Traumatic tympanic membrane perforations: complications and management.

There is great diversity in the methods of treating traumatic perforations of the tympanic membrane. To elucidate the controversy, we present a long-term follow-up study of 37 patients. On the basis of our present study and available relevant data in the literature, we emphasize that early surgical intervention of a traumatic myringeal perforation is not indicated, as most of these perforations (an average of 88%) do heal spontaneously without complications. However, we stress the importance of performing a meticulous auditory and vestibular examination with close follow-up and repeat audiograms in all patients with acute traumatic myringoruptures to provide enough information for diagnosis of a major perilymph leak that would warrant operation. Myringeal perforations or major conductive hearing losses persisting 3 months after injury warrant tympanotomy and appropriate reconstruction.