No abstract

Background: Traumatic tympanic membrane perforations (TTMP) occur commonly in our setting which is a very busy Metropolitan city. Its management can be quite challenging to the otolaryngologists because of late presentation. This study determines the prevalence of TTMP, highlights the etiological factors and management outcome as seen in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Patients and Methods: A prospective study of 35 patients clinically diagnosed to have TTMP out of 1,257 patients with aural diseases at the Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) surgery clinics of University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) and Kinx Medical Consultants clinic in Port Harcourt, between January 2014 to December 2014. Information obtained from the patients was documented in a pro-forma prepared for the study. The information collected were bio-data, clinical presentations, otoscopic findings, pure tone audiometry findings, source of injury, complications and management outcome. The data were analyzed descriptively and illustrated with simple statistical tables and pie chart. Results: Traumatic tympanic membrane perforation prevalence was found to be 2.78%. Age range was 2-70 years with a mean age of 35.2 years ± 6.3. The commonest age group affected was 35-45 years; the male to female ratio was 1:1.3. Commonest etiological factor was slap on the ear. Bleeding from the ear was the commonest symptom. The commonest otoscopic finding was blood clots in the external auditory canal with central tympanic membrane perforation. The commonest complication encountered was Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media. Fourteen patients responded to treatment after 1 month of conservative management. Conclusion: Slap on the ear ranked highest as etiological factor. Forty percent of the patients responded to treatment after 1 month of conservative management.