OBJECTIVETo explore the experience and value of overlay tympanoplasty.

METHODSSixty-three ears with overlay tympanoplasty were reviewed and followed up for the external auditory canal, tympanic membrane and hearing.

RESULTSThe diseases of the patients included middle ear cholesteatoma in 25 ears and chronic suppurative otitis media in 38 ears. The surgical techniques involved three kinds: overlay tympanoplasty, overlay tympanoplasty with canal wall up mastoidectomy and overlay tympanoplasty with canal wall down mastoidectomy. In middle ear cholesteatoma and suppurative otitis media patients, the case received the three techniques are 4, 17, 4 ears and 19, 18, 1 ears respectively. All patients gained stage I incision cure. Followed up for 0.5 to 3.5 years respectively, the external auditory canal was wide and tympanic membrane gained a good shape. The hearing in all case kept intact or increased while hearing decrease did not occur. Complications were free in patients with punctual visit.

CONCLUSIONSOverlay tympanoplasty has positive significance in treating the chronic otitis media with the merits of standard procedure, sufficient operative field and thorough erosion elimination.