title: Traumatic tympanic membrane perforations: complications and management.
abstract: There is great diversity in the methods of treating traumatic perforations of the tympanic membrane. To elucidate the controversy, we present a long-term follow-up study of 37 patients. On the basis of our present study and available relevant data in the literature, we emphasize that early surgical intervention of a traumatic myringeal perforation is not indicated, as most of these perforations (an average of 88%) do heal spontaneously without complications. However, we stress the importance of performing a meticulous auditory and vestibular examination with close follow-up and repeat audiograms in all patients with acute traumatic myringoruptures to provide enough information for diagnosis of a major perilymph leak that would warrant operation. Myringeal perforations or major conductive hearing losses persisting 3 months after injury warrant tympanotomy and appropriate reconstruction.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kristensen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Juul
authors.forename: N P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Gammelgaard
authors.forename: O R
authors.initials: OR
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012421:Rupture; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000293:injuries*