Myringoplasty Outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children Treated Via the Deadly Ears…

Cohort studyANZ journal of surgery· Aug 2026

Myringoplasty Outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children Treated Via the Deadly Ears Program: A 10-Year Retrospective Cohort Study.

Lara Gahan, James Nightingale, Trent Lyon … Claire Frauenfelder

Otology & HearingCohort studyTreatmentQ3IF 1.0

Myringoplasty completely closed the eardrum in 60% of operated ears.

Myringoplasty Outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children Treated Via the Deadly Ears Program: A 10-Year Retrospective Cohort Study.

Lara Gahan … Claire Frauenfelder

ANZ journal of surgery · Aug 2026 · Q3 in General Medicine

Background

Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children experience some of the highest rates of otitis media with tympanic membrane (tympanic membrane) perforation in the world.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children undergoing myringoplasty surgery by Deadly Ears between January 2015 and February 2025 was performed.

Results

surgery fully closed the eardrum hole in most patients

More results

One hundred and four children underwent 135 myringoplasties (median age 10 years, IQR 8-12) across nine communities.

Hearing improved by at least one category in 64.2% of ears.

The proportion of children with normal hearing increased from 3.7% to 44.7%.

Hearing improvement was associated with age < 12 years.

“

Conclusion · 1 of 3

Strong community engagement facilitated by Deadly Ears was reflected by high and complete follow-up rates.

Conclusion · 2 of 3

Surgical and audiological outcomes were consistent with other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander outreach programs but remain lower than metropolitan centres.

Conclusion · 3 of 3

Ongoing investment in culturally responsive, community-designed outreach models is essential.

Myringoplasty Outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children Treated Via the Deadly Ears Program: A 10-Year Retrospective Cohort Study.

Myringoplasty Outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children Treated Via the Deadly Ears Program: A 10-Year Retrospective Cohort Study.

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