RESULTS OF MYRINGOPLASTY AND EFFECT OF BACTERIA IN EARLY QUIESCENT STAGE OF CHRONIC OTITIS MEDIA

Abstract

Objectives:

The aims of this study were to determine whether any organism does exist in middle ear cavity during the early quiescent stage of chronic otitis media, if so isolate their types and assess their effect on graft uptake results.

Materials and methods:

Patients of age 13 years and above  with diagnosis of chronic otitis media mucosal type in early quiescent stage were included for myringoplasty. Swab was collected from middle ear cavity for culture in operation theatre prior to surgery and inoculated into Blood agar, Chocolate agar and Mac Conkey agar within half an hour.  The isolates were identified with the use of standard bacteriological technique as described by American Society of Microbiology. All patients underwent underlay myringoplasty.

Results:

Graft uptake results were assessed after 6 weeks. 47 patients were enrolled for study. Aerobic bacteria were isolated from 15 cases (31.9%). Staphylococcus aureus isolated in 12(80%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 2(13.3%) and E. coli in 1(6.7%). Graft uptake was 41(87.2%). All 6 failure cases had residual perforation. In bacteria isolated group, 14 out of 15 had graft uptake. Aerobic bacteria were isolated from middle ear cavity in quiescence stage of chronic otitis media in 15(32%) cases.

Conclusion:

Success rate of myringoplasty in quiescent stage was comparable with dry ear. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common organism. Presence of bacteria in middle ear during surgery did not increase the risk of graft failure.

Keywords: Bacteriology, chronic otitis media, Myringoplasty, Wet ear