Middle ear pressure following tympanoplasty for various middle ear diseases. Pressure related to follow-up period and retractions.

In 512 ears with various middle ear diseases, the middle ear pressure was measured a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 10 years after tympanoplasty. The findings were related to the length of the follow-up period and to retractions of the drum and/or in the epitympanum. The tympanometric findings were best in sequelae to otitis with dry perforations, poorest in cholesteatomas and adhesive otitis. Tubal function had not further deteriorated 4 years after the operation. There was a highly significant correlation between the middle ear pressure and the frequency of retractions, which also does not essentially increase--except in the cholesteatoma cases.