A study of tympanoplasty in elderly patients and questionnaire survey

Abstract

The outcome of tympanoplasty and following questionnaire survey in elderly patients older than 65 years was investigated. Fifty four ears of 40 patients with chronic otitis media (30 ears), middle ear cholesteatoma (13 ears), sequela of otitis media (9 ears) and others (2 ears) were operated at the Department of Otolaryngology, University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. The success rate in terms of hearing improvement according to the criteria of Otological Society of Japan (2000) was 43.1% as a whole. The group with chronic otitis media had better (67.9%) hearing improvement than that of cholesteatoma (7.7%) or sequela of otitis media (22.2%). Answers to a questionnaire survey were received from 21 patients. The results showed that not only the patients but also their families felt the hearing improvement and were satisfied with the operation. They mentioned hearing recovery and end to ear discharge as satisfactory points. For using hearing aids, it seemed that tympanoplasty was of benefit to some patients. There were no severe problems relating to general anesthesia or surgery during the clinical course. In spite of a lower success rate in hearing improvement, patients and their families had a good impression of the operation. In conclusion, tympanoplasty for elderly patients should be recommended for patient satisfaction as well as improvement in hearing ability.