To identify factors that could influence the success of tympanoplasties in children, a retrospective study was done of 51 tympanoplasties performed on children aged 9-14 years during the years 1984-1989. Surgical success was defined as an intact membrane found after 3 years' follow-up. The success rate of tympanoplasties was 92%. A functioning eustachian tube was found to be important for graft take. No difference was found in the rate of graft take whether fascia of the temporal muscle or tragal perichondrium was used. An audiologic improvement was seen in 70.6% of the patients. We conclude that tympanoplasty in children has a high probability of success and will enable most children operated on to resume a normal lifestyle.