Abstract
Objective: To investigate the benefits and problems of tympanoplasty in elderly patients over 70 years of age.
Patients and Methods: Among 1014 patients who underwent tympanoplasty for chronic otitis media from 2006 to 2011, elderly patients over 70 years of age were eligible for inclusion. Clinical characteristics including clinical symptoms, tympanosclerosis, preoperative severe complications, postoperative ear condition, and hearing outcomes were retrospectively investigated. The mean bone conduction hearing threshold at 500-, 1-, and 2-kHz frequencies was also estimated as postoperative inner ear damage.
Results: Ninety-seven ears of 83 patients were included. Otorrhea and hearing loss were major symptoms and vertigo was specific in chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma. Eighteen ears had obvious findings of tympanosclerosis (18 / 97 ears=18.6%). In chronic otitis media without cholesteatoma (52 ears / 47 patients), no preoperative complications were noted. In chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma (42 ears / 33 patients), we noted preoperative severe complications including labyrinthine fistula (7 / 97 ears=7.22%), widely exposed dura (1 / 97 ears=1.03%), and facial palsy (1 / 97 ears=1.03%). Most cases became carefree ear (94 / 97 ears=96.9%). The postoperative inner ear damage including statistically significantly increased bone conduction hearing thresholds and persistent vertigo was not found.
Conclusions: Tympanoplasty in elderly patients over 70 years seems to be safe and effective to improve their quality of life.
