Anatomical and Functional Outcomes after Surgical Management of Tympanic Membrane Retraction Pockets: A Retrospective Study

Authors

  • Salma BENSIMIMOU ENT Head and Neck Surgery Department, 20 August Hospital, IBN Rochd University Hospital, Hassan II University Casablanca Author
  • Roubal M Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hôpital 20 Août 1953, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco Author
  • Abada RL Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hôpital 20 Août 1953, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco Author
  • Rouadi S Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hôpital 20 Août 1953, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco Author
  • Oukessou Y Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hôpital 20 Août 1953, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco Author
  • Bijou W Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hôpital 20 Août 1953, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco Author
  • Loudghiri M Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hôpital 20 Août 1953, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco Author
  • Lahjaouj M Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hôpital 20 Août 1953, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco Author
  • Aboutalib A Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hôpital 20 Août 1953, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco Author
  • Benghaleb H Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hôpital 20 Août 1953, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco Author
  • Mahtar M Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hôpital 20 Août 1953, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47363/JOLRR/2026(5)150

Abstract

Background: Tympanic membrane retraction pockets (RPs) are localized invaginations resulting from chronic Eustachian tube dysfunction and progressive loss of tympanic membrane elasticity. Without timely management, they may progress to ossicular chain erosion, conductive hearing loss, or secondary cholesteatoma.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective descriptive study of 74 patients with non-cholesteatomatous tympanic membrane RPs managed surgically at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, 20 August 1953 Hospital, Ibn Rochd University Hospital, Casablanca, Morocco. Cases with cholesteatoma, incomplete records, or follow-up < 12 months were excluded. Primary outcomes were anatomical success (tympanic membrane closure) and postoperative air–bone gap (ABG) at 12 months.

Results: The mean age was 35 years, with a female predominance (65%). The leading symptoms were hearing loss (82.4%) and otorrhea (89.2%). RPs were most commonly located at the attic (39.2%) and in the posterior quadrants (31.1%). Conductive hearing loss was present in 59.5% of patients and mixed hearing loss in 32.4%.  Ossicular chain disruption was identified intraoperatively in 55.4% of cases, predominantly involving the incus. Anatomical success was achieved in 93.2% of patients. The mean ABG in improved from 25.6 dB preoperatively to 17.3 dB postoperatively (mean gain: 8.3 dB). Secondary cholesteatoma occurred in 1.4% of cases.

Conclusion: Non-cholesteatomatous RPs are progressive lesions with a significant risk of ossicular damage and secondary cholesteatoma. Cartilage tympanoplasty achieved anatomical success in 93.2% of cases. However, functional recovery remained modest overall, given the high rate of ossicular chain disruption observed intraoperatively, underscoring the importance of early surgical intervention before irreversible ossicular damage occurs.

Author Biographies

  • Roubal M, Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hôpital 20 Août 1953, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco

    Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hôpital 20 Août 1953, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco

  • Abada RL, Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hôpital 20 Août 1953, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco

    Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hôpital 20 Août 1953, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco

  • Rouadi S, Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hôpital 20 Août 1953, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco

    Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hôpital 20 Août 1953, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco

  • Oukessou Y, Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hôpital 20 Août 1953, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco

    Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hôpital 20 Août 1953, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco

  • Bijou W, Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hôpital 20 Août 1953, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco

    Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hôpital 20 Août 1953, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco

  • Loudghiri M, Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hôpital 20 Août 1953, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco

    Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hôpital 20 Août 1953, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco

  • Lahjaouj M, Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hôpital 20 Août 1953, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco

    Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hôpital 20 Août 1953, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco

  • Aboutalib A, Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hôpital 20 Août 1953, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco

    Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hôpital 20 Août 1953, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco

  • Benghaleb H, Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hôpital 20 Août 1953, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco

    Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hôpital 20 Août 1953, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco

  • Mahtar M, Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hôpital 20 Août 1953, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco

    Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hôpital 20 Août 1953, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco

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Published

2026-08-25

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 3 (2026): Volume 5 Issue 3

Section

Articles