Silicon foil patching for blast tympanic membrane perforation: a retrospective study

Aim To establish whether covering the tympanic membrane perforation after war blast injury with silicon foil can enhance the ear drum healing rate and to determine the appropriate timing of silicon patching. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the charts of 210 patients wounded during the Homeland War in Croatia 1991-1995, with 315 blast tympanic membrane perforations. In 44 patients (61 perforations), the eardrum perforation was covered by silicon foil, whereas in 166 patients (254 perforations) it was left to heal spontaneously. The patients who underwent the patching procedure were divided in two groups according to the time period between the blast injury and the procedure: 38 perforations were treated within 3 days and 23 perforations were treated 4 to 6 days after the blast injury. Results The rate of tympanic membrane healing in the silicon foil patching group was significantly higher (91.8%) than that in the group of perforations left to heal spontaneously (79.9%, P=0.029). The healing rate was significantly higher in the group treated within 3 days after the blast injury (97.4%) than in the group treated 4 to 6 days after the injury (82.6%, P=0.042). Conclusions Covering the perforation after the war blast injury with silicon foil significantly improves the rate of tympanic membrane healing. To obtain the best healing outcome, the procedure should be performed within the first 72 hours after the trauma.