Correlation between middle ear risk index (MERI) and outcome of tympanoplasty - a prospective study

Dr. Lakshmi Shree.N; Dr. Shyam Sudhakar.S; Dr. K. Shoba

Volume : VIII, Issue : XII, December - 2019

Correlation between middle ear risk index (MERI) and outcome of tympanoplasty - a prospective study

Dr. Lakshmi Shree. N, Dr. Shyam Sudhakar. S, Dr. K. Shoba

Abstract :

Introduction: Perforations of the tympanic memane are a feature seen commonly in chronic otitis media (COM). It results in the reduction in the viating area of the tympanic memane. This can lead to conductive he� loss up to 40–45 dB. Thus tympanic memane perforations can be disturbing functionally and psychologically to patients. Aim: Our aim was to measure the outcome of patients who underwent tympanoplasty for mucosal type of chronic otitis media (COM) using Middle ear risk index (MERI) score. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, at a tertiary health care centre from March to July 2019 as a pilot study. We observed the outcomes of tympanoplasty with the Middle Ear Risk Index (MERI) score. A total number of 62 patients were included in this study. Patients diagnosed with COM mucosal disease underwent pre–operative oto–microscopic examination and PTA taken at speech frequencies and MERI score was calculated. Patients were classified as normal, mild, moderate or severe MERI group based on the score. Results: Patients with a high MERI score had lower rate of graft uptake, whereas, patients with mild MERI had greater he� benefit and those with severe MERI had lesser he� benefit postoperative. Conclusion: MERI score helps to predict the outcome of tympanoplasty. It has an inverse relation with graft uptake and he� benefit. Based on MERI score, the chances for surgical success and he� benefit could be explained to the patient.