Determinants of spontaneous healing in traumatic perforations of the tympanic membrane

Objectives: To analyse the various factors influencing spontaneous healing of traumatic tympanic membrane perforation in West Africa. Study design: Prospective clinical study. Setting: Tertiary referral centre. Participants: Consecutive patients with traumatic tympanic membrane perforations without history of previous middle ear disease. Main outcome measures: Healing outcome at 4, 8, 12 weeks; effects of perforation size, location, and mode of injury, active intervention and ear discharge on healing outcome. Results: Fifty‐three patients, 32 (60%) men and 21 (40%) women, aged 2–86 years, with traumatic tympanic membrane perforation who met our inclusion criteria were analysed. Ninety‐four percent of the perforations healed spontaneously. Spontaneous healing was significantly correlated with age (P