Factors Influencing the Outcome of Spontaneous Healing of Traumatic Tympanic Membrane Perforation: A Clinical Prospective Observational Study.

UNLABELLED: Trauma to the ear is typically attributed to its location in the craniofacial skeleton. TM is prone to rupture, tear, or perforation when traumatized. Etiological factors may be classified according to the pathogenetic mechanisms (air-pressure change, heat, solids, water pressure).

MATERIALS & METHOD: This is a prospective study of 70 patients with traumatic tympanic membrane perforation between January 2019 and December 2022. Inclusion and exclusion criteria applied and results interpreted.

RESULTS: Traumatic TM affects all age groups with a mean age of 27.94 ± 4.76 years. Traumatic TM affects all age groups with a mean age of 27.94 ± 4.76 years, with the highest incidence among the middle-aged groups 61.4%. The male-to-female ratio was found to be 1.9:1, with high predominance among male patients (65.7%) with a frequency of 57.1% for slap injury group in our study contrary to others. Spontaneous healing was observed in 88.6% over a follow-up period of 12 weeks in this study. Our study has not shown that associated comorbidities influence healing ( P  = 0.550). About 45.5% Marginal perforations have not healed in 12 weeks follow-up period as compared to central perforations 5.1%.

CONCLUSION: There is a high predominance of TM perforation among male patients in our study may be attributed to activity. Spontaneous healing is more common. Duration of healing was significantly affected by the size of the perforation with longer duration for large perforations and vice versa. It is observed in this study that the duration of spontaneous healing is longer in blast injuries when compared to other kinds of injuries. A significant proportion of marginal perforations that have not healed in our study may be attributed to annular ligament involvement.