Vol. 6, Issue 2, Part A (2024)

Introduction: Chronic otitis media is one of the most common ENT health problems in Bangladesh. Although the incidence of complications has decreased, it still occurs due to poor socio-economic conditions, lack of medical awareness, and lack of trained professionals in rural areas. The success of tympanoplasty depends on several factors, including middle ear pathology, status of ossicular chain, surgical technique, and technique of ossicular chain reconstruction. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of MERI score in predicting the outcome of tympanoplasty.

Methods: The proposed prospective interventional study was carried out in Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh from January 2023 to March 2024. Total 50 patients who underwent tympanoplasty for mucosal type of chronic otitis media (COM). The cases were selected as per laid down inclusion and exclusion criteria. Inclusion Criteria included all patients above 18 years of age with mucosal type of COM and willing to participate in this study.

Results: Fifty (50) patients who underwent tympanoplasty for mucosal chronic otitis media (COM) were included. Cases were selected according to established inclusion and exclusion criteria. Inclusion criteria included all patients with chronic mucosal otitis media aged 18 years or older who were willing to participate in the study. The effect of otorrhea on hearing improvement was not significant. The effect of the condition of the middle ear mucosa on the increase in hearing after surgery was found to be statistically significant. The effects of smoking on postoperative graft uptake, postoperative AB gap, and hearing gain were statistically significant. The effect of MERI score on graft success was found to be statistically significant.

Conclusion: The MERI score reliably predicts graft uptake and hearing improvement after tympanoplasty and is a useful indicator of otitis media severity.