Outcome of myringoplasty and type 1 tympanoplasty in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis
In brief
Eardrum repair closes about 86% of perforations in children
Across 38 studies involving 4,658 ears, myringoplasty and type 1 tympanoplasty closed the eardrum in about 86% of cases and improved the hearing gap by an average of 11 dB. Results varied substantially, and studies with higher risk of bias reported greater success, so the pooled rate may overstate outcomes in practice.
- Journal
- European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (Q1)
- Published
- 20 October 2026
- Study design
- Systematic review of cohort studies
- Evidence level
- Level 2, Moderate (CEBM 2a)
- Authors
- Ho Hwee Yee, Azliana Aziz, Rosdan Salim, Najib Majdi Yaacob
- PMID
- 42900198
- DOI
- 10.1007/s00405-026-10712-z
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Otorhinolaryngology (paper of the day, 21 October 2026): Pooled pediatric tympanoplasty closure and hearing outcomes inform ear surgery
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the anatomical and audiological outcomes of myringoplasty and type I tympanoplasty in the pediatric population through systemic review and meta-analysis. METHOD: A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases was conducted for studies published between January 2021 until September 2025. Studies involving patients ≤ 18 years undergoing myringoplasty or type 1 tympanoplasty were included. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed to estimate pooled proportions of tympanic membrane closure and postoperative complications, as well as pooled mean air-bone gap (ABG) improvement. Heterogeneity, publication bias, sensitivity analyses, subgroup analyses, and meta-regression were performed. The risk of bias of studies was evaluated using JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist and categorizing them into low, moderated or high risk of bias according to methodological constraints. RESULT: Thirty-eight studies comprising 4658 ears were included. The pooled tympanic membrane closure rate was 85.8% (95% CI: 83.3 to 88.3), with substantial heterogeneity (I² = 81.0%). The pooled rates of postoperative infection, keratin pearl formation, and recurrent perforation rates were 11.6%, 4.0%, and 11.5%, respectively. The pooled mean postoperative air-bone gap (ABG) gain was 11.18 dB (95% CI: 9.55 to 12.81). Subgroup analysis demonstrated significantly higher success rates in studies with higher risk of bias. CONCLUSION: Myringoplasty and type 1 tympanoplasty in children demonstrate high anatomical success rates and meaningful hearing improvement with relatively low complication rates. However, substantial heterogeneity and variability in study design warrant cautious interpretation of these findings.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.