An Etiological and Clinical Study of Traumatic Tympanic Membrane Perforations and Results of Spontaneous Healing

Abstract

Introduction- The tympanic membrane (TM) is crucial to sound transmission and in response to trauma it is vulnerable to rupture. Traumatic tympanic membrane perforation (TTMP) is the most prevalent kind of otological impairment caused due to trauma. Prevention, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are important in managing such cases. So this research was planned to identify numerous TTMP etiologies and its clinical manifestations. It also focused on the outcomes of TTMP's spontaneous healing as well as the variables that may affect them.

Material and method- This study was a prospective analytical, observational hospital study conducted on 68 TTMP patients. Clinical history, otoscopic examination, and associated symptoms were used to diagnose TTMP. Pure tone audiometry (PTA) and tuning fork test was also done. Followup visits up to 12weeks were planned to observe the outcome. All the data were logged on premade proforma and was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Service (SPSS).  P-value less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Result- The mean age of the patients in our study was 30.5±15.10years with male dominance. Maximum patients were of the age group 18-40years. Majority of the patients suffered from tinnitus and had the injury because of physical assault. Association of age and etiology of the perforation with gender was found to be non-significant. Mainly left ear of the patients was affected with medium size and single perforation. Healing time in half of the patients was 2-6weeks with spontaneous healing in maximum of the patients

Conclusion- Physical assault appeared as the main cause of the injury with tinnitus as the main clinical presentation. Majority of the cases recovered with spontaneous healing without having any complications. Early identification and evaluation of TMP is essential to lower morbidity and consequences. So it is imperative to educate public on etiology, precautions and factors that are favorable for the prognosis of spontaneous healing of TTMP.