Objectives: To investigate effects of nitrous oxide (N2O), as inhalational anesthetic agent, on tympanoplasty outcomes.
Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, patients were randomized into two groups: 39 patients who received N2O as an inhalant anesthesia and 47 patients who did not receive. All were operated on with standard type of ear surgery. The protocol for the two groups was identical. Before surgery baseline audiometry was performed. Postoperative audiological controls were carried out at 3 months.
Results: There was no statistically significant difference between two groups regarding graft outcomes. No significant differences were found between the two groups regarding air-bone gap or bone conduction hearing level.
Conclusions: Nitrous oxide usage does not seem to have significant impact on graft or hearing outcome of patients undergoing surgical repair of tympanic membrane.
Keywords: Tympanoplasty; graft failure; hearing; inhalation anesthesia; nitrous oxide; outcome.