Hearing loss following myringoplasty - implications for informed consent.

Background: There are many reports of operations performed to successfully close ear drum perforations. Hearing deterioration after myringoplasty is not a widely published topic. This paper presents an audit of this complication.

Methods: A six-year retrospective analysis of a series of myringoplasty operations was performed using electronic patient records. Patients with post-operative hearing loss were identified and those with hearing loss greater than 10 dB were further scrutinised.

Results: Out of 187 patients who underwent myringoplasty procedures, 44 (23.53 per cent) experienced a reduction in hearing thresholds. In seven cases (3.74 per cent), the hearing loss was greater than 10 dB. A case note review revealed no obvious predictive factors, although posterior perforations and the possibility of ossicular chain manipulation were considered.

Conclusion: Hearing loss following myringoplasty is not rare, and this may alter the consent process for this procedure.