Key Points:
1. Having a post aural scar did not seem to be a big concern among patients undergoing tympanoplasty surgery.
2. Comparable time off work, long term postoperative symptoms and quality of life measures were observed between the two surgical approaches i.e., per-meatal approach and post aural approach.
3. The Chronic Otitis Media Benefit Inventory (COMBI) scores revealed no statistically significant difference in patient-reported outcomes between the two groups.
4. Clinicians can use the findings of this study within its limitations in future decision making for patients for tympanoplasty surgery.
5. This study could serve as the initial groundwork for future large scale studies seeking patient’s perspectives and quality of life (QOL) for tympanoplasty surgery.