The Traumatic Tympanic Membrane Perforation - Aetiology and Therapy

Background: The use of cotton swabs is well known as a cause of a traumatic membrane perforation. More reasons are known. A detailed description of the aetiology and therapy in Germany does not exist. The treatment consist of a readaptation of the perforation an splinting of the tympanic membrane with paper sheets or silicon foils. Materials and Methods: 238 patients with an acute tympanic membrane perforation were included in this retrospective study. They were treated between 2005 and 2010. Results: The mean causes of a traumatic tympanic membrane perforation were slaps with the open hand (37.4 %), the use of a cotton swab (19.3 %) and high diving (13.0 %). The perforations have been splinted with paper sheets or silicon foils. The rate of complete wound closure after splinting with different materials are comparable (71.9 % and 81.8 %). The side effects are low. Conclusion: This is the first study about the aetiology of traumatic tympanic membrane perforations in Germany. There is no statistic difference between the 2 materials for tympanic membrane splinting. A traumatic tympanic membrane perforation should be treatet at least to improve the air conduction threshold.