The effects of everted or inverted edges on healing of traumatic-induced tympanic membrane perforations.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the healing and hearing outcomes related to the everted or inverted edge area on slap- and fist-induced large tympanic membrane perforations.

METHODS

A total of 120 patients with slap- or fist-induced tympanic membrane perforations, with inverted or everted edges, affecting 50-75 per cent of the entire tympanic membrane, were randomly divided into 2 groups: an edge approximation group and a spontaneous healing group. The edge approximation group was divided into subgroups A and B based on the reversed edge area (reversed edge was more or less than 50 per cent of the total perforation, respectively). Healing outcomes and hearing improvements at six months were compared.

RESULTS

The data of 118 patients were analysed. The closure rate of perforations in subgroup A, subgroup B, and the spontaneous healing group was 90.9 per cent, 92.1 per cent and 84.5 per cent, respectively; the difference between the three groups was not significant (p = 0.393).

CONCLUSION

The area of reversed edges for slap- or fist-induced tympanic membrane perforations did not seem to affect healing and hearing outcomes, regardless of edge approximation and everted or inverted edges.