DefinePK

Abstract

Background: Tympanic Membrane is the only true closing membrane remaining in the fully developed fetus that is vital for transmission of sound and an important structure in impedance matching for sound waves traveling from air to fluid .The increasing incidence of trauma is a blot on our society and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Traumatic tympanic membrane perforation is a fairly common event and is very much on the rise.
Methods: It was a cross sectional study  carried out in 60 patients who came to outpatient department of ENT and casualty with traumatic TM perforation. After taking informed consent, detailed history and complete examination of ear was performed and  characteristics of perforation were noted. Pure tone audiometry (PTA) was conducted in all cases and data was statistically analyzed on presentation and at 3weeks.The patients are reviewed every week till the healing is complete.
Results: Mean age group was 22.5 years and 60% were males. Aural fullness was the commonest symptom with assault being the most common cause. Our study showed results of 96% healing rate with an average healing time of 4.7 weeks. 82% of them had left TM perforation and on presentation had a mean hearing loss of 26.73+/-18dB and at 3weeks had a mean hearing loss of  18.12 ⼟ 3.52 dB.. In our study,57% patients had spontaneous healing of tympanic membrane perforation in the range of 3-5weeks, 23% in the range of 6-8 weeks, 8% in the range of 9-11weeks and 2% of patients were left with unhealed traumatic tympanic membrane perforation.
Conclusion: In our study we have come to the conclusion that traumatic tympanic membrane perforation is common in young adults following assault and accidental trauma and is very much on the rise. Wait and watch policy gives good results in these cases and usually does not leads to any complications like infection. TM perforation heal spontaneously with conservative management in most of the cases and 97% is the healing rate in our study.