Improvement in bone conduction threshold after tympanoplasty

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the causes of bone conduction. threshold impairme nt associated with middle ear pathoses and the factors influencing improvem ent in bone conduction threshold after tympanoplasty. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: The records of 98 consecutive patients with unila teral chronic otitis media who underwent tympanoplasty were reviewed. Preop eratively, 15 dB or more depression of bone conduction threshold at least i n 2 frequencies between 500 and 6000 Hz was considered to be significant. S imilarly in the postoperative period, 15 dB or more improvement of bone con duction threshold at least in 2 frequencies between 500 and 6000 Hz was reg arded as significant. RESULTS: Twelve (12.5%) of 98 cases were found to have depressed bone condu ction threshold; 6 of 12 cases had improved bone conduction threshold after tympanoplasty. CONCLUSION: In cases with cholesteatoma and extensive middle ear disease, s uccessful results could be achieved after tympanoplasty disregarding the ai r-bone gap and deteriorated bone conduction threshold. SIGNIFICANCE: Bone conduction threshold may improve after tympanoplasty.