[No reason to set an age limit on tympanic membrane closure in children].
The results of 819 tympanic membrane reconstructions performed by the author between 1974 and 1987 were reviewed. The mean follow up period was 5.6 years (range 2 to 10 years). An attempt was made to answer the question whether it is justified to set an age limit for performance of eardrum reconstructions in children. Of the 819 reconstructions 304 were done between the age of 4 and 16. The review shows that if a strict preoperative procedure is followed, there is no significant difference in closure rate between children (91%) and adults (90%). The grafting material did not influence the closure rate.
van Zanten
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Twenteborg Ziekenhuis Almelo, afd. KNO.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008875:Middle Aged; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000517:prevention & control; D010035:Otitis Media, Suppurative / Q000517:prevention & control; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014433:Tympanoplasty