Role of antrotomy in tympanoplasty

The role of antrotomy in cases of tympanoplasty has always been controversial since the beginning. Our present study was undertaken to ascertain the role of antrotomy in patients undergoing tympanoplasty. In this present study 100 patients were reviewed out of which in 50 cases tympanoplasty with antrotomy was done and in 50 cases only tympanoplasty was done. All cases were of CSOM with tubotympamic disease, irrespective of hearing loss, site and size of perforation with intact ossicular assembly. Results were concluded on the bases of hearing improvement and graft uptake. Pure tone audiometry was done before and three months after the surgery. At the end ofantrotomy and 88% in patient without antrotomy. Hearing improvement was also nearly equal in both groups. But the additional benefit of opening antrum was that in 2% of cases, cholesteatoma sac was found accidently in the attic region which would have been missed if antrotomy was not performed.study the success rate of graft uptake was 90% in patient with antrotomy and 88% in patient without antrotomy. Hearing improvement was also nearly equal in both groups. But the additional benefit of opening antrum was that in 2% of cases, cholesteatoma sac was found accidently in the attic region which would have been missed if antrotomy was not performed. So it was concluded that thoughantrotomy plays no significant role in success of graft uptake and hearing improvement, but still it should be done in all the cases of discharging mucosal type CSOM not responding to medical treatment so that any hidden cholesteatoma sac in attic region is not missed. Keywords: Cholesteatoma, Tubotympanic disease, Antrum, Perforation, Tympanic memberane.