Abstract
OBJECTIVES. To assess the association between tympanoplasty outcomes and the Middle Ear Risk Index (MERI).
MATERIAL AND METHODS. Observational, retrospective, analytical, and cross-sectional study. The files of the operated cases were reviewed, and demographic, clinical and MERI parameters were included. Descriptive statistics and measures of dispersion were used. To assess associations, Pearson’s chi-square test was applied, with a significance level set at p ≤ 0.05.
RESULTS. A total of 82 files were included, with an average age of 43.12±16.9; 67% of the patients were women and 51.2% had comorbidities. The most used technique was overlay in 76.8%, with the temporal fascia being the most frequently used graft in 81.7%. The degree of middle ear disease was mild in 41 patients (50%), moderate in 28 (34.1%), and severe in 13 ears (15.9%). An association was found between the degree of MERI and surgical success, with a p -value of 0.02.
CONCLUSION. It seems that the index is associated with the graft outcome at 6 months. Moderate MERI appears to be linked to lower success rates.