The lateralized tympanic membrane is a complication of otologyic surgery. Eight ears with the lateralaized tympanic membrane were reviewed. All of the ears were operated by a single surgeon and followed up more than one year. The mean follow-up periods were 37.6 months. Cholesteatoma was found in one ear and ossicular chain discontinuity in one ear during the operation. Postoperative air-bone gap within 15 dB was achieved in 5 ears (62.5%), hearing gain more than 15 dB in 5 ears (62.5%) and postoperative hearing level within 30dB in 2 ears (25.0%). Either of the three criteria was achieved in 7 ears (87.5%). The reestablishment of the normal tympanic membrane was found in 6 ears (75.0%). Perforation of the tympanic membrane on the normal position was found in one ear and miringoplasty was performed. Anterior blunting was found in one ear. To enlarge the ear canal, especially to remove the bone of the prominent anterior ear canal is important to avoid the lateralized tympanic membrane. The surgical results, the postoperative hearing results and the re-establishments of the normal tympamic membrane were fairly good. The lateralized tympanic membrane is a good candidate for surgical treatment, but much longer follow-up periods are necessary.
