Tinnitus and taste disturbances reported after myringoplasty: Data from a national quality registry

Abstract

Objectives/Hypothesis Postoperative tinnitus and taste disturbances after myringoplasty are more common than previously reported. Study Design This study was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from the Swedish National Quality Registry for Myringoplasty. Methods The analysis was performed on extracted data from all counties in Sweden collected from database A from 2002 to 2012 and database B from 2013 to 2016. Tinnitus and taste disturbance complications 1 year after myringoplasty were analyzed in relation to gender, age, procedure, and success rate. In database A, physicians reported tinnitus and taste disturbances. In database B, patients reported the complications. Results A major difference was found when the complications were reported by physicians compared to when the complications were reported by patients. In database A, tinnitus was reported in 1.2% of the patients and taste disturbances in 0.5%. In database B, the frequencies were 12.3% and 11.2%, respectively. Tinnitus and taste disturbances were more frequent after conventional myringoplasty compared to those after fat grafting and were more frequent after primary compared to those after revision surgery when reported by physicians. Patients, however, reported the same frequency of tinnitus after fat graft myringoplasty compared to that after conventional myringoplasty (12.0% vs. 12.6%) and fewer taste disturbances after revision surgery. In follow‐up assessments, complications persisted after surgery over a long time period. Conclusion Tinnitus and taste disturbances are more common after myringoplasty when patients report their symptoms than when physicians report the symptoms. Level of Evidence 2b Laryngoscope, 129:209–215, 2019

Chemical, Electrical and Tactile Sensitivity Changes After Middle Ear Surgery

“…This emphasizes the need for physicians to critically evaluate patient taste status after middle ear surgery. A recent study showed that taste disturbances are often under-reported by physicians (0.6%) compared to the patient complaints (13.5%) a year after myringoplasty 32 (for similar reports). 33 Therefore, it is important to educate physicians on the prevalence of taste disturbances after middle ear surgery and encourage them to measure taste responses using standardized testing tools.…”

Comparison of Endoscopic Modified and Typical Myringoplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Berglund M et al 4 reported on tinnitus in 1.2% of patients and taste disturbances in 0.5% after myringoplasty. However, no complications (deteriorative sensorineural hearing loss, altered taste, vertigo, tinnitus, or EAC cholesteatoma) were observed in both groups during the follow‐up period.…”

“…Traditionally, endoscopic typical myringoplasty (ETM) involves raising a flap, rimming the perforation, entering the middle ear, and packing the external auditory canal (EAC) 1,2 . However, these procedures may be associated with damage to the chorda tympani, inclusion of cholesteatoma in the EAC, longer healing times, pain, and longer operation times 3,4 . We have conducted three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding ETM without raising a flap, rimming the perforation, or packing the EAC, respectively 5–7 .…”

Recurrent tympanic perforation after myringoplasty: a narrative literature review and personal experience

“…The use of autologous grafting material such as temporal fascia, perichondrium, cartilage, fat, periosteum, or vein is preferrable when available 8 . Two main techniques are currently in use based on the positioning of the graft with regards to the remnants of the tympanic membrane, the underlay and the overlay.…”