Tympanoplasty for Blast-Induced Perforations: The Walter Reed Experience

Objective To review our tympanoplasty results for blast-induced tympanic membrane perforations and evaluate the association of various clinical factors with surgical success. Study Design Case series with chart review. Setting Two tertiary military healthcare institutions. Methods This is a retrospective review of all patients who had nonrevision tympanoplasty during a 1-year period for blast-induced perforations by the 2 neurotologists at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and National Naval Medical Center. Various perioperative clinical factors were analyzed for relations to successful perforation closure, the need for a second operation, and postoperative hearing. Results Thirty-four patients met inclusion criteria. All were male, and the average age was 24.0 years. Twenty-two (65%) were total or near-total perforations, of which 12 (35%) were repaired using lateral graft technique. The remainder had various medial graft procedures. Ossicular abnormalities were found in 6 (18%) patients. Cholesteatoma was discovered in 3 (9%) patients. Closure was complete in 82% of patients. The incomplete closures were with large perforations, those with foreign bodies (shrapnel), and in 1 with postoperative water exposure. There were no major complications, and the mean conductive hearing improvement was 11.3 dB. Conclusion Blast-induced tympanic membrane perforations are common in our population of wounded warriors. These cases are challenging because most have total or near-total perforations, the ossicles can be out of place, the blast itself can implant epithelium in the middle ear, and foreign bodies can create a hostile middle ear environment. However, given attention to detail, we found that standard tympanoplasty techniques work well.