Sometimes less is more: experience with endoscopic myringoplasty.

A retrospective review of the outcomes of patients who underwent endoscopic myringoplasties in our institution was conducted. The aim was to highlight our results with this procedure. The database of patient records was manually checked, and the patients who had undergone Endoscopic Myringoplasties were identified, and their demographics, admitting notes, operating notes, and discharge summaries were reviewed. Graft failure was considered if the patient had a perforation in the graft during the outpatient follow-up. The information was compiled, and basic statistics were derived. A total of 31 patients were identified who had undergone Endoscopic Myringoplasty. Patients' age ranged from 14-52 years. None of the patients developed any immediate postoperative complications. Follow-up otoscopic examination showed 28 patients with an intact graft and only one patient with graft failure. Two patients were lost to follow up. Our success rate with Endoscopic Myringoplasty is 96.6%, which is comparable to the international standard success rate of 80-95%. The results of this study encourage adopting an endoscopic approach where the expertise is available.

Effects of no perforation margin trimming and EAC packing in cartilage underlay myringoplasty for chronic large perforations in children.

OBJECTIVE: Trimming of perforation margins and external auditory canal (EAC) packing are basic procedures in underlay myringoplasty for repairing chronic perforations. The objective of this study was to compare the operation time, graft outcome, hearing improvement, and complications of endoscopic cartilage underlay myringoplasty with and without trimming of perforation margins and EAC packing in children. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized study. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Pediatric patients older than 12 years with chronic perforations were randomly divided into two groups: myringoplasty with trimming of perforation margin and EAC packing (TPME) group or no trimming of perforation margin and EAC packing (NTPME) group. The operation time, graft success rate, hearing improvement, and complications were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients were ultimately included in the study. The mean operation time was 31.4 ± 4.2 min in the TPME group and 23.6 ± 1.7 min in the NTPME group; the difference was significant (P < 0.01). The rate of aural fullness significantly differed between the TPME and NTPME groups (P = 0.000). All participants were followed up for 12 months; the graft success rate did not significantly differ between the groups (88.5% vs. 96.2%; P = 0.603). No patients developed adhesive otitis media. Between the preoperative and postoperative measurements, the mean air-bone gap improved by 10.2 ± 2.8 dB in the TPME group and 11.6 ± 0.7 dB in the NTPME group; this was significant (P < 0.001) in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic cartilage underlay myringoplasty NTPME shorted the operation time and avoided aural fullness and EAC discomfort compared with the TPME technique; however, graft success and hearing improvement were comparable between the two techniques for repairing large perforations in children.

Myringoplasty - A Rewiev of 438 Cases.

The medical records of 438 patients who underwent myringoplasty followed up for a minimum of one year in the period of 1980 and 2015 were revised. Examination under otomicroscope was done of the ear to be operated. This was carried out with a speculum under the operating microscope to be reliably asses the tympanic membrane, site of perforation, to rule out any other pathology and assess the status of ossicular chain. All the patients submitted primary myringoplasty surgery were operated under postauricular, endaural and transcanal approach with overlay, underlay and inlay methods. In the study the patients were divided into three groups depending upon the technique utilized to repair the tympanic membrane. When we compared overlay technique group with underlay technique group, it was observed that overlay technique was no statistically significant difference between these three groups in term of age wise distribution, gender wise distribution, duration of disease and cause of disease, due to matching at the time of selection. In this study the outcome in terms of graft uptake rate was slight better in the overlay technique (94%) as compared to the underlay technique (86.2%), though the difference was statistically insignificant, P>0.05. Patients selection may have had a role in the high success rate in the present study as patients presenting with middle ear pathology were excluded. The complications rate in the present study was quite low, no case in inlay group, three cases of graft lateralization in underlay group, and 19 cases in overlay group. In this study, better results were achieved with overlay technique may probably be due to less surgical manipulation and faster healing process.

Tympanic Perforations in Children: When to Propose Surgical Closure?

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to analyze the impact of age and other prognostic factors on the success of myringoplasty. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective case series. SETTINGS: Pediatric ENT department of a tertiary academic center. PATIENTS: Two hundred forty-one children (318 ears) aged 3 to 17 years with tympanic perforation. INTERVENTION: Myringoplasty performed between 2009 and 2019. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: The rate of tympanic closure, perforation recurrence, revision surgery, and audiometric gain were collected. The impact of age and anatomical and surgical factors was analyzed for each procedure. RESULTS: With a mean follow-up time of 1 year, the tympanic closure rate was 87.7%, the perforation recurrence rate was 18.6%, and 16.7% of ears required reoperation. The mean air-bone gap decreased from 21 dB preoperatively to 12 dB postoperatively ( p < 0.0001). We did not find different anatomical and audiometric results for our three groups of patients classified according to age. Audiometric results were associated with the location of the perforation, intraoperative inflammation of the middle ear mucosa, and the surgical technique performed. CONCLUSION: Myringoplasty in children is associated with excellent anatomical and functional results, even in the youngest patients. It can be proposed whatever the child's age if the patients are well selected before giving the indication.

Surgical Option for External Auditory Canal Cholesteatoma: A Case Report.

External Auditory Canal Cholesteatomas (EACC), is an exceptionally rare condition with a prevalence of only 0.1-0.5% among new patients1. EACC are known to possess bone eroding properties, causing a variety of complications, similar to the better-known attic cholesteatomas. We describe here the novel surgical management of a case of EACC. She is 38-year-old female who presented with otorrhea for 6 months. Clinical examination and radiological investigations suggested the diagnosis of an external auditory canal cholesteatoma. The patient underwent modified radical mastoidectomy with type 1 tympanoplasty with meatoplasty. Post-operatively, the patient showed marked clinical improvement.

Additional cartilage reinforcement of the annulus in myringoplasty for subtotal perforation.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, graft success, hearing outcome, and complications were compared following the repair of subtotal perforation using a cartilage reinforcement underlay technique (CRUT) versus the traditional cartilage underlay technique (TCUT). STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-six patients with subtotal perforations were prospectively randomized to the CRUT (n = 38) or TCUT (n = 38) group. The graft success rate, hearing outcome, and complications were compared at 12 months. RESULTS: The mean operation time was 32.9 ± 4.2 (range: 26-47) min in the CRUT group and 51.8 ± 6.3 (range: 48-73) min in the TCUT group (P < 0.001). At 12 months postoperatively, no residual perforation was seen in either group. The graft success rate was 94.7 % (36/38) in the CRUT group and 92.1 % (35/38) in the TCUT group; the difference was not significant (P = 0.643). The postoperative air bone gap (ABG) was significantly improved compared to the preoperative value in both groups, without significant between-group differences in either the preoperative (P = 0.741) or postoperative (P = 0.865) ABG or the mean ABG gain (P = 0.812). Additionally, there were no significant between-group differences in the preoperative (P = 0.887) or postoperative (P = 0.753) mean bone-conduction pure tone average. In the TCUT group, seven (18.4 %) patients developed temporary hypogeusia and two (5.3 %) had external auditory canal scarring. Graft cholesteatoma was not observed in either group. CONCLUSION: In the treatment of subtotal perforations, lateral reinforcement of the annulus with additional cartilage is simpler than traditional cartilage underlay for achieving graft and hearing success. The technique also does not involve raising the tympanomeatal flap or removing perforation margins.

[The technique and application of individualized tympanic membrane flap in the repair of tympanic membrane under endoscopy ear surgery].

Objective:To investigate the technique of personalized flap making under otoscopy and its clinical application. Methods:The clinical data of patients who underwent 301 Military Hospital myringoplasty in the Department of otoendoscopic surgery, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, head and neck surgery, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, from October 2022 to 2023 August were analyzed retrospectively, all enrolled patients were performed independently by the same skilled otoendoscopic surgeon. The patients' general condition, medical history, tympanic membrane perforation scope, perforation size, need for tympanic cavity exploration, thickness of skin flap, tympanic cavity lesion scope, skin flap making method and postoperative rehabilitation were collected. Results:Many factors such as the location of tympanic membrane perforation, the thickness of the skin flap, the degree of curvature or stricture of the ear canal and the extent of the lesion in the tympanic cavity should be considered in the manufacture of the individualized tympanic membrane skin flap, the way of skin flap making does not affect the long-term postoperative rehabilitation, but it can effectively avoid unnecessary ear canal skin flap injury and improve the operation efficiency. Conclusion:Scientific flap fabrication is important for improving surgical efficiency and enhancing surgical confidence.

[Application of the follower arm endoscope holder in type i tympanoplasty].

Objective:To investigate the surgical outcomes and safety of the follower arm endoscope holder in assisting type Ⅰ tympanoplasty. Methods:The clinical data of 16 patients who underwent type Ⅰ tympanoplasty at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, from November 2022 to September 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, among which 8 cases were operated by traditional otoscopy and 8 cases were operated by supported endoscopy.The surgical procedure was analyzed and the completion of supported endoscopic operation was observed, while the duration of the operation, the time consumed by the main steps, the frequency of wiping the lenses, the perioperative complications, and the improvement of the postoperative hearing were recorded and statistically analyzed. Results:Supporting endoscopic technology achieved real-time suction of bleeding, simultaneous traction and separation of tissues, precise removal of calcified spots on the inner side of the eardrum, trimming of the external auditory canal flap, stable separation of the handle of the malleus and the eardrum, and tensioned repositioning of the skin-cartilage flap. The average duration of surgery, time for external auditory canal flap preparation, and time for repositioning the skin-cartilage flap were reduced in the supporting endoscopic surgery group compared to the control group. The average lens wiping frequency was significantly lower in the supporting endoscopic surgery group compared to the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative hearing improvement between the two groups, and no infections or the need for secondary surgery due to eardrum re-perforation occurred postoperatively. Conclusion:Supported endoscopy technology realizes the need for endoscopic two-handed operation and convenient switching between one and two hands, accomplishes many operations that cannot be done by traditional endoscopic surgery, solves the problems of previous intraoperative one-handed operation and image instability, shortens the average operation time compared with traditional otoscopic surgery, and decreases the frequency of intraoperative wiping of the lens significantly compared with traditional otoscopic surgery, which is potentially worthwhile in terms of shortening the learning curve.

A New Method in Transcanal Medial Grafting Type-I Cartilage Tympanoplasty.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the surgical results of a modified technique for the tympanic membrane (TM) perforation repair and to compare this new technique with the traditional methods. STUDY DESIGN: An interventional study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Otolaryngology, Medicana International Hospital, Samsun, Turkiye, from June 2019 till June 2021. METHODOLOGY: The study was conducted with 24 patients who underwent cartilage tympanoplasty. Pure-tone audiometry (PTA), preoperative and postoperative air and bone conduction hearing levels were determined. The mean values of air and bone conduction and air-bone gap (ABG) were recorded. RESULTS: Postoperatively, 23 grafts were intact, and one was perforated, perforation secondary to otomycosis in the first month postoperatively. Eight patients had previous unsuccessful tympanoplasty history. These patients' tympanic grafts were intact with this technique. Surgical success rate was 96.0%. Postoperative hearing gain was 12,8 dB. Functional success rate was 88.0%. Mean surgery time was 30 minutes. Patients easily continued their lives in one-week time after the surgery. CONCLUSION: The new modified cartilage tympanoplasty method had high surgical success, and good audiometric results were obtained. KEY WORDS: Type-I cartilage, Tympanoplasty, Transcanal medial grafting, Tympanomeatal flap elevation.

Evaluation of inner ear damage by mastoid drilling with measurement of serum prestin (SLC26A5) levels.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to demonstrate any inner ear injury caused by drilling in mastoid surgery with prestin, outer hair cell motor protein specific to the cochlea. METHODS: The patients with chronic otitis media requiring mastoidectomy (n = 21) and myringoplasty (n = 21) were included. Serum prestin level obtained from blood samples was measured before surgery and on postoperative days 0, 3, and 7 using Human Prestin (SLC26A5) ELISA Kit. All patients underwent the Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA) test before surgery and on the postoperative 7th day. The drilling time was also recorded for all patients who underwent mastoidectomy. RESULTS: In both mastoidectomy and myringoplasty groups, the postoperative serum prestin levels increased on days 0 and 7 (pday-0 = 0.002, pday-7 = 0.001 and pday-0 = 0.005, pday-7 = 0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference in the serum prestin levels between the two groups, postoperatively. The PTA thresholds at day 7 did not change in either group. A significant decline at 2000 Hz of bone conduction hearing threshold in both groups and a decline at 4000 Hz in the myringoplasty group were found. There was no correlation between the drilling time and the increase of prestin levels in the postoperative day 0, 3, and 7. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that mastoid drilling is not related to a significant inner ear injury. Although the myringoplasty group was not exposed to drill trauma, there was a similar increase in serum prestin levels as the mastoidectomy group. Also, a significant decline at 2000 Hz of bone conduction hearing threshold in both groups and a decline at 4000 Hz in the myringoplasty group were found. These findings suggest that suction and ossicular manipulation trauma can lead to an increase in serum prestin levels and postoperative temporary or permanent SNHL at 2000 and 4000 Hz. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level-4.

Comparison of endoscope-assisted and microscope-assisted type I tympanoplasty; a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze and compare the available data about the outcomes of endoscopic and microscopic type I tympanoplasty. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Cochrane library Ovid, Scopus, Google scholar, and ClinicalTrials. METHODS: We conducted a meta-analysis in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We included comparative studies describing type I tympanoplasty, and comparing surgical outcomes of the endoscope with the microscope in terms of efficacy and safety. RESULTS: Our systematic search yielded 22 studies meeting the inclusion criteria and eligible for analysis. The pooled graft uptake rates and audiological results of endoscopic and microscopic tympanoplasty demonstrated non-significant differences. In contrast, endoscopic type I tympanoplasty outperforms microscopic tympanoplasty regarding a highly significant decrease not only in pooled mean operative time but also in the pooled complications rate. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our meta-analysis, the surgical outcomes of endoscope-assisted and microscope-assisted type I tympanoplasty in terms of postoperative hearing outcomes and the graft uptake rate were comparable. On the contrary, operative time and complications rate proved to be significantly reduced with endoscopy compared to microscopy. Hence, the endoscope is as efficient as the microscope in type I tympanoplasty but less invasive, fewer in complications and shorter in operative time.

Outcomes of perichondrium graft covering the epithelium of the tympanic membrane for large-sized perforations: A 3-5-year follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the graft outcomes and iatrogenic cholesteatomas for 3 years following cartilage-perichondrium over-underlay technique with perichondrial graft covering the epithelium for large-sized tympanic membrane (TM) perforations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective case series enrolled patients with large-sized perforation who underwent endoscopic cartilage-perichondrium over-underlay technique. The graft success rate, hearing outcomes, and development of iatrogenic middle ear cholesteatomas and graft cholesteatomas were assessed at 3 years postoperatively. RESULTS: This study included 62 ears of 62 patients. The mean follow-up duration was 47.3 ± 10.8 (38-64) months. Neovascularization was observed in the lateral perichondrium graft in 55 (88.7 %) patients, which inosculated into the TM remnant at 4-5 weeks. However, graft neovascularization was not observed in the four patients with excessive perichondrium graft that migrated into the external auditory canal and the three patients with middle ear infections. The graft failure rate was 6.5 % at 6 months, 11.3 % at 12 months, 6.5 % at 24 months, and the overall graft success rate was 91.8 % at the last follow-up. Granular myringitis developed in 11.3 % (7/62) of the patients. High-resolution computed tomography revealed well-pneumatized mastoids and middle ear at the final follow-up. However, graft cholesteatomas were observed in 3 (4.8 %) patients at 7-24 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The cartilage-perichondrium over-underlay technique with perichondrial graft covering TM epithelium is safe and effective for the repair of large perforations, with good short- and long-term graft outcomes, minimal risk of graft cholesteatoma development, and no risk of iatrogenic middle ear cholesteatomas.

Comparison of two endoscopic perichondrium-cartilage graft underlay myringoplasty for large perforations: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the graft outcomes and complications of two endoscopic perichondrium-cartilage graft techniques for repairing large perforations. STUDY DESIGN: Single center blinded randomized controlled trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 61 large perforations more than 50% of TM area were prospectively randomized to undergo the free perichondrium and free cartilage graft group (FPFC, n = 31) or perichondrium partial attachment the cartilage graft group (PPAC, n = 30). The primary outcome measures were the operation time; secondary outcome measures were the graft success rate and hearing gain at 12 months postoperatively and postoperative complications. RESULTS: All patients completed follow-up of 12 months. The mean operation time was 38.2 ± 2.3 min in the FPFC group and 37.4 ± 5.6 min in the PPAC group (P = 0.658). At postoperative 3 months, the graft success rates were 96.7% in the FPFC group and 93.3% in the PPAC group (P = 0.976). At postoperative 12 months, the graft success rates were 96.7% in the FPFC group and 83.3% in the PPAC group (P = 0.182). However, the residual and re-perforation rate with no infection was 0.0% (0/31) in the FPFC group and 16.7% (5/30) in the PPAC group (P = 0.056). No significant between-group differences were observed pre- (P = 0.842) or post- (P = 0.759) operative air bone gap (ABG) values or mean ABG gain (P = 0.886). However, granular myringitis has been noted in 6.5% in the FPFC group and in 3.3% in the PPAC group. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that 12-month graft success and hearing gain were comparable between the perichondrium free and partial attachment the cartilage graft techniques, nevertheless, partial attachment technique could increase residual and re-perforations.

Assessing Complication Risk of Pressure Equalizing Tube Placement in Children With Velocardiofacial Syndrome (22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome/DiGeorge Syndrome).

INTRODUCTION: Persistent tympanic membrane perforation is a known complication of pressure-equalizing (PE) tube insertion. Conductive hearing loss and otorrhea can necessitate surgical repair of these perforations. Long-term tympanostomy tube placement can increase the risk of these complications. Patients with velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS) typically require prolonged PE tube placement and are thought to have higher risk of requiring additional otologic interventions after PE tube placement. To date, no work has established rates of post-PE tube complications requiring myringoplasty or tympanoplasty in patients with VCFS. METHODS: A retrospective case review including all patients with VCFS at a single large children's hospital between the years 2000 and 2020 was performed. Number of PE tube insertions required and additional otologic interventions performed were the primary endpoints assessed. RESULTS: Of 212 total patients with VCFS, 66 (31%) underwent PE tube placement. Of these children, 46 (70%) required 2 or more sets of PE tubes. A total of 53 patients (80.3%) required no otologic interventions apart from PE tube insertions. Of the 13 patients (19.7%) requiring additional otologic surgery, 6 (9.5%) underwent myringoplasty, and 9 patients (13.6%) required tympanoplasty. There was no significant difference in tympanoplasty (P > 1), myringoplasty (P > 1), or other surgical intervention rates (P = .7464) between VCFS patients with any type of cleft palate versus those with anatomically normal palates. CONCLUSION: This work suggests that most VCFS patients that require tubes, require at least 2 sets of PE tubes, and that the rate of post-PE tube complications requiring further otologic surgery is an order of magnitude higher than the rate established at this institution. Counseling for PE tube placement in VCFS patients may require specific dialogue regarding the substantially increased risk of complications and effort to build appropriate expectations for surgical outcomes regardless of palatal status.

Comparison of perichondrium-cartilage button technique and traditional over-underlay technique for repairing large perforations.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to compare the operation time, graft outcomes and complications between the endoscopic cartilage-perichondrium button technique and over-under technique for repairing large perforations. METHODS: A total of 52 chronic large perforations were randomly allocated to receive treatment using the endoscopic cartilage-perichondrium button technique (n = 26) or over-under technique (n = 26). The graft outcomes, mean operation time and post-operative complications were compared between the two groups at 12 months. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 52 patients with unilateral chronic large perforations. All patients completed 12 months of follow up. The mean operation time was 32.3 ± 4.2 minutes in the button technique group and 51.6 ± 2.8 minutes in the over-underlay technique group (p < 0.01). The graft success rate at 12 months was 92.3 per cent (24 out of 26) in the button technique group and 96.2 per cent (25 out of 26) in the over-underlay group (p = 0.552). CONCLUSION: The endoscopic cartilage-perichondrium button technique had similar graft success rates and hearing outcomes for large chronic perforations to the over-under technique, but significantly shortened the mean operation time.

Endoscopic Perichondrium-Cartilage Myringoplasty With Preserving of Anterior Margins and Tuck Grafts for Repairing Anterior Perforation With 3 year Followup.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the graft outcomes of endoscopic perichondrium-cartilage myringoplasty with preserving of anterior margins for repairing anterior perforation with 3 year followup. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective case series. SETTING: Tertiary university hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a prospective study in 47 patients with anterior perforation who underwent perichondrium-cartilage myringoplasty with preserving of anterior margins and tuck grafts. The operation time, graft success rate, hearing outcome, and complications were evaluated at 6 months and 3 years after surgery. RESULTS: A total of 47 ears with anterior marginal perforation were included in the study. The perforation size was subtotal in 2 (4.3%) eras, large in 11 (23.4%) ears, medium in 27 (57.4%) ears, and small in 7 (14.9%). The mean operation time was 41.2 ± 5.4 minutes. All patients completed 6 months of follow-up. Residual perforation was observed in 2 patients with medium perforations, the graft success rate was 95.7% (45/47). The mean preoperative and postoperative AC PTAs were 38.1 ± 7.3 dB and 25.4 ± 4.6 dB (P < .05), while the mean preoperative and postoperative BC PTAs were 9.0 ± 4.6 dB and 9.6 ± 1.9 dB (P = .672). The functional success was 91.5% (43/47). None of the patients reported sensorineural hearing loss, altered taste, facial nerve palsy, vertigo, or tinnitus during the follow-up period. In addition, 34 (72.3%) patients completed 3 years followup and performed temporal bone CT examination, the mean followup time was 39.1 ± 2.7 months, CT revealed the well pneumatization of mastoids and middle ear. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic perichondrium-cartilage myringoplasty with preserving of anterior margins and tuck grafts is a safe, suitable, and reliable method for repair of anterior perforation with few risk of anterior blunting and lateralization.

A comparative study of endoscopic myringoplasty versus microscopic myringoplasty at tertiary care center.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Myringoplasty is a surgical procedure performed to repair tympanic membrane perforation which can be performed either using a microscope or an endoscope. The aim of this study is to compare the graft uptake, hearing outcome and operative time of endoscopic myringoplasty (EM) versus microscopic myringoplasty (MM) by underlay cartilage island graft technique. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In this prospective comparative study of sixty patients divided into two equal groups with small to medium sized tympanic membrane perforation were included. Tragal cartilage was used as graft material. Both the groups underwent myringoplasty by underlay cartilage island graft using endoscope (n = 30) and microscope (n = 30). The study was conducted between February 2022 to May 2023 after taking ethical approval from IRC of Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences. All patients were followed up on 7th postoperative day (POD), 1 and 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: Graft uptake in was 90 % (27/30) in MM group and 93.33 % (28/30) in EM group. Mean operating time was more in MM group (66.46 ± 6.78min) than EM group (64.53 ± 6.6 min). The improvement in Air Bone Gap (ABG) was better in EM group (12.46 ± 6.58 dB) compared to MM group (10.9 ± 9.01 dB). The differences in graft uptake, operating time and improvement in ABG were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The study concludes that it does not matter which approach is used, good results are predictable and choice of the tool used is up to the individual surgeon.

Comparison of temporalis fascia and cartilage graft over-under myringoplasty for repairing large perforations.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the operation time, graft success, audiometric outcomes and complications of over-under technique using a temporalis fascia (TMF) and cartilage grafts for the repair of large perforations. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 80 large perforations >2 quadrants of eardrum were prospectively randomized to undergo TMF over-under technique group (TFON, n = 40) or cartilage-perichondrium over-under technique group (CPON, n = 40). The graft success rate, audiometric outcomes, and complications were compared among two groups at 12 months. RESULTS: The mean operation time was 56.8 ± 4.2 (range:52-71) min in the TFON group and 37.9 ± 2.8 (range: 31-47) min in the CPON group (P < 0.001). The lost follow-up rate was 3 (7.5 %) patients in the TFON group and 2 (5.0 %) patient in the CPON group (P = 0.644). Finally, 37 patients in the TFON group and 38 patients in the CPON group were included in this study. The graft infection rate was 2 (5.4 %) patients in the TFON group and 2 (5.3 %) patient in the CPON group (P = 0.626), all the graft infection resulted in the residual perforation. The remaining residual perforation was 2 (5.4 %) patients in the TFON group and 1 (2.6 %) patient in the CPON group; the re-perforation was 3 (8.1 %) patients in the TFON group and 0 (0.0 %) patient in the CPON group. The graft success rate was 81.1 % (30/37) patients in the TFON group and 92.1 % (35/38) patient in the CPON group. The mean preoperative and 12-month postoperative ABGs were significantly different in any group (P < 0.01). However, there were no significant difference among two groups regardless of pre-or post-ABGs or ABG closure. No lateralization of the graft or blunting was noted in any group. Four (10.8 %)patients developed atelectasis and one (2.7 %) developed the EAC scarring in the TFON group. Graft cholesteatomas was found in 2 (5.4 %) patients in the TFON group and in 5 (13.2 %) patients in the CPON group (P = 0.449). Three (8.1 %) patients had temporary hypogeusia in the TFON group. CONCLUSION: Although temporalis fascia graft over-under technique obtained similar graft success rates and hearing outcomes for large chronic perforations to the cartilage-perichondrium over-under technique, temporalis fascia graft technique prolonged the operation time and increased the re-perforation and graft atelectasis. Nevertheless, the graft cholesteatomas were comparable among two techniques.

Inside-out raising mucosal-tympanomeatal flap approach for the repair of large marginal perforations.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the graft success rate and hearing outcomes of the inside-out raising mucosal-tympanomeatal flap technique for the repair of large marginal perforations. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective case series. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study enrolled patients with large marginal perforations who underwent endoscopic cartilage myringoplasty with the inside-out raising mucosal-tympanomeatal flap technique. The graft success rate, hearing outcomes, and complications were evaluated at 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: In total, 48 patients with large marginal perforations were included. 81% of the population had large perforation, 14.6 had subtotal and total perforation was seen in 4.2%. The mean operation time was 38.6 ±â€…7.1 min. At 12 months postoperatively, the graft success rate was 89.6% (43/48). The mean air-bone gap was 25.6 ± 5.2 dB preoperatively and 16.5 ± 4.1 dB at 12 months postoperatively, with significant differences between these values (p = 0.001). The functional success rate was 85.4% (41/48). None of the patients experienced worsened sensorineural hearing loss or graft-related complications, such as graft lateralization, significant blunting, and graft medialization, during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic cartilage-perichondrium myringoplasty for the repair of large marginal perforations using the inside-out raising mucosal-tympanomeatal flap technique was associated with satisfactory graft outcomes and minimal complications.

Role of topical antibiotic ointment in the lateral graft following underlay myringoplasty: a prospective randomised study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the graft outcome and postoperative infection of with and without the use of antibiotic ointment following myringoplasty for the treatment of chronic perforations. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 135 chronic perforations were prospectively randomized to use of antibiotic ointment group (UAO, n = 68) or no use of antibiotic ointment group (NAO, n = 67) following myringoplasty. The graft outcomes and postoperative infection were compared among two groups at 6 months. RESULTS: At postoperative 6 months, the graft infection rate was 4.4% in the UAO group and 10.4% in the NAO group, the difference was not significant (P = 0.312).The graft success rates were 92.6% in the UAO group and 91.0% in the NAO group, the difference was not significant (P = 0.979). In the UAO group, 3 patients with purulence ear discharge resulted in a residual perforation although they received ofloxacin ear drops and intravenous antibiotic therapy treatment. In the NAO group, 6 patients with purulence ear discharge resulted in a residual perforation, only one, with mild purulence discharge was successfully treated and closed. In addition, no significant between-group differences were observed pre- (P = 0.746) or post- (P = 0.521) operative air bone gap (ABG) values or mean ABG gain (P = 0.745). However, granular myringitis with minimal moistness but without infection has been noted in 3 (4.4%) patients in the UAO group and in 5 (7.5%) in the NAO group, the difference was not significant (P = 0.699). CONCLUSIONS: Use and non-use of antibiotic ointments for lateral packing of graft are both comparable methods following myringoplasty for postoperative infection and graft outcomes.