Abstract
Recently, the cases of re-tympanoplasty are remarkably increased because of the absolute increase in the number of tympanoplasty.
The author discussed the problems in re-tympanoplasty from the many standpoints of view in 35 cases of reoperation which were performed in E. N. T. clinic of Kyushu University Hospital from Oct. 1964 to Sept. 1965.
The 35 cases were divided into two groups ; one was the continued group and the other re-admission group. The reasons of reoperation, the kind of graft for new ear drum at the first operation and the second operation, the types of operation performed, the changes in tympanic cavity were discussed.
In the continued group, re-tympanoplasty was intended within 35 days after the first operation on the average, because of re-perforation on the new ear drum which were most frequent in the cases operated using Thiersh's skingraft. As f indings in tympanic cavity at the time of reoperation were not so aggravated, the same type of operation was performed in most of cases. The hearing as the f irst one was improved in 55% above 30 dB.
In the re-admission group, the reoperations were intended within 3 years after the first operation on the average because the ear discharge and deafness continued for long time after the first one. The findings in tympanic cavity at the time of reperation were more severe than the continued group and the hearing improvement was successful in 46%.
In conclusion, reoperation is sometimes unavoidable in relatively indicated cases for tympanoplasty, and the necessity of reoperation, therefore, should be previously informed in such cases and should be performed as soon as possible when it is necessary. The results in cases which needed operations of three or four times were very pessimistic.
