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Scientific Oral Presentation

Otology/Neurotology

Postoperative Complications Following Tympanoplasty in Patients with Primary Hypertension

Monday, October 19, 2026
10:06 AM - 10:12 AM PT
Location: West Exhibit Hall A, Learning Zone 2

    Presenting Author(s)

  • CH

    Connor B. Haines

    Medical Student
    The University of Texas Medical Branch
    Galveston, Texas, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • Maia R. Smith, BSA, MS

    Medical Student
    University of Texas Medical Branch
    Galveston, TX, United States

  • SS

    Sara A. Schuster, MS

    Medical Student
    University of Texas Medical Branch
    Galveston, TX, United States

  • Robert E. Africa, MD

    Resident
    The University of Texas Medical Branch
    Galveston, TX, United States

  • BM

    Brian J. McKinnon, MD, MBA, MPH, FACS

    Chair of Surgery
    Meritus Health
    Hagerstown, Maryland, United States

    • Senior Author(s)

  • DY

    Dayton L. Young, MD

    Associate Professor and Director of Quality and Value, Department of Otolaryngology
    University of Texas Medical Branch
    Galveston, Texas, United States

Disclosure(s):
Connor B. Haines:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Maia R. Smith, BSA, MS:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Sara A. Schuster, MS:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Introduction: Primary hypertension affects millions in the United States and increases the risk of postoperative complications. Although tympanoplasty is a common otologic procedure, the impact of preoperative hypertension on outcomes is not well defined. This study examines whether primary hypertension, diagnosed at different intervals before surgery, increases postoperative adverse events.

Methods: Using the TriNetX research network, patients with primary hypertension documented within 12, 3, or 1 month before tympanoplasty were compared with matched controls without hypertension. Long-term outcomes (revision surgery, recurrent cholesteatoma, chronic postoperative sequelae) were assessed from day 1 postoperatively. Short-term outcomes (otitis media or externa, otorrhea, vertigo, tinnitus, pneumonia, deep vein thrombosis, surgical site infection) were evaluated within 3 months. Propensity score matching and risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals were used.

Results: Hypertension within 12 or 3 months of surgery was associated with higher risks of tympanoplasty revision, surgical site infection, and multiple chronic complications; no long-term risk increase was observed for hypertension documented within 1 month. Recurrent cholesteatoma risk was not elevated at any interval. Short-term risks for otitis media, otorrhea, and deep vein thrombosis were consistently higher across all hypertension groups, with no increased risk for otitis externa, vertigo, tinnitus, or pneumonia.

Conclusions: Primary hypertension in the year before tympanoplasty is linked to increased short- and long-term postoperative complications. These findings highlight primary hypertension as an important preoperative risk marker and support optimizing blood pressure control and enhancing postoperative monitoring. Further research should clarify mechanisms and evaluate targeted perioperative strategies to reduce complications.