Long-term results of tympanic membrane repair were analyzed in 605 patients operated upon from 1970 to 1975. By survival life table analysis, 81% closure of perforations was found at 11 years, and only 74% of patients had normally healed tympanic membranes. Children less than 10 years of age and with anterior perforations healed more poorly. A second group of patients--all with anterior perforations operated upon from 1982 to 1984-showed autologous temporalis fascia to be superior to homograft dura as the graft material. Analysis of results also showed a 60% chance of perforation closure at revision operation. These results are believed to represent an accurate and realistic assessment of tympanic membrane repair by use of survival life table analysis.

This study reports the largest series of primary stapedotomies evaluated with Amsterdam hearing evaluation plots. This method enables visual identification of successful and unfavourable results, providing more accurate and detailed presentation of surgical outcomes.

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