[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.

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.

Prophylactic antibiotics has no benefit for outcome in clean myringoplasty-A register-based cohort study from SwedEar.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate if prophylactic antibiotics (PA) in conjunction with myringoplasty of clean and uninfected ears entails a reduction of postoperative infections within 6 weeks after surgery, and whether it affects the healing rate of the tympanic membrane (TM) at follow-up, 6-24 months after surgery. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study of prospectively collected data. SETTING: Data extracted from The Swedish Quality Register for Ear Surgery (SwedEar), the years 2013-2019. PARTICIPANTS: All patients in SwedEar with a registered clean conventional myringoplasty (tympanoplasty type I) including a follow-up visit. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The effect of PA use on TM healing rate at follow-up and postoperative infection within 6 weeks of surgery. RESULTS: In the study group (n = 1665) 86.2% had a healed TM at follow-up. There was no significant difference between the groups that had PA administered (87.2%) or not (86.1%). A total of 8.0% had a postoperative infection within 6 weeks. Postoperative infection occurred in 10.2% of the group that received PA (n = 187) compared with 7.7% of the group that did not receive PA. However, this difference was not statistically significant. Postoperative infection within 6 weeks significantly lowered the frequency of healed TMs. CONCLUSION: PA administered during clean conventional myringoplasty does not improve the chance of having a healed TM at follow up, nor decrease the risk of having a postoperative infection within 6 weeks after surgery.

The impact of adding platelet-rich plasma during fat graft myringoplasty for managing medium-sized tympanic membrane perforations: A prospective randomized case-control study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of adding platelet-rich plasma (PRP) during FGM to close medium-sized TM perforations. METHODS: This prospective randomized case-control study was conducted from February 2017 to March 2022. We included 320 patients with a medium-sized TM perforation with inactive mucosal otitis media. Transcanal FGM managed all patients under general or local anesthesia according to the patient preference. According to PRP, patients were divided into two groups: the first with PRP (170 patients) and the other without PRP (150 patients). We evaluated the closure rate of both groups one month, six months, and one year after the surgery. Also, we assessed the audiological performance before and one year after the operation for the patients with a successful closure. RESULTS: The closure rate was 87.6 % in the first group and 72.7 % in the second group, with a statistically significant difference between both groups as the P-value, was 0.001. Successful closure of the ABG to <10 dB occurred in 95.3 % of group A and 90.8 % of group B without a statistically significant difference between both groups (P-value = 0.163). CONCLUSIONS: This prospective comparative study on a relatively large number of patients revealed that FGM effectively closed medium-sized TM perforations. It also significantly improved postoperative audiological performance in both groups. Adding PRP during the FGM enhanced the closure success and the healing process without recorded complications. We recommend using the PRP in the routine FGM for closing medium-sized TM perforations.

Trans-canal tragal cartilage myringoplasty; a comparative analysis of endoscopic and microscopic approaches.

BACKGROUND: The advent of Endoscopic Ear Surgery (EES) has allowed otologists an improved view of the surgical field compared with conventional Microscopic Ear Surgery (MES). EES presents different challenges for surgeons and a learning curve is necessary. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of EES and MES for trans-canal tragal cartilage myringoplasty, an entry level EES. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed patients who underwent push through trans-canal tragal cartilage myringoplasty in our institution over 5 years (2016-2020). Exclusion criteria were: patients with prior ear surgery, non-tragal cartilage tympanic membrane graft, additional procedure at time of surgery and patients with insufficient follow up. EES and MES groups were compared using outcomes such as graft success rate, changes in pure tone audiometry (PTA), operative time and complications. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients met inclusion criteria (MES = 38, EES = 36). Mean age of included patients was 29.3 years with no significant demographic differences between groups. Graft success rate at 12 months was higher among the EES group versus MES (94.4% v 86.8%, p = 0.43). Mean operative time was reduced in the EES group (47.3 min v 53.8 min, p = 0.04). Hearing outcomes did not differ significantly between groups. No major operative complications occurred in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes were marginally better in the cohort who underwent EES. This supports that EES offers an otologic choice to complement established practice for trans-canal myringoplasty and may be used to facilitate introduction to EES for trainees and otologists wishing to learn this technique.

Fulminant intracranial hypertension as a result of otological surgery: case report and discussion of management.

BACKGROUND: Dural venous sinus injury is a rare complication of otological surgery that can lead to life-threatening sequelae, the management of which is complex and poorly described. CASE REPORT: This paper describes the case of a 40-year-old female who underwent routine right myringoplasty complicated by sigmoid sinus laceration. The patient subsequently developed right-sided lateral sinus thrombosis leading to fulminant intracranial hypertension. The patient underwent successful emergency management by surgical reconstruction of the sigmoid sinus, followed by endovascular thrombolysis, catheter balloon angioplasty and endovascular stenting. CONCLUSION: Torrential haemorrhage following otological procedures is uncommon and rarely requires packing of a bleeding venous sinus. This case highlights that injury to a highly dominant venous sinus can lead to venous outflow obstruction and life-threatening intracranial hypertension. To our knowledge, the development of this complication following otological surgery and its management has not been reported previously.

Clinical and morphological results of xenografts to use in myringoplasty.

The main aim of our study was to study morphological state of the autograft from the fascia of the temporal muscle in myringoplasty. Until now, there is no consensus on issue of which fabrics are more suitable for use in the eardrum. We decided to study of use of an autograft from the fascia of the temporal muscle for myringoplasty in rabbits in the experiment, and in patients with chronic dry mesotympanitis. An electron microscopic examination of the fascia taken immediately, after 10, 20 min and 1 h after sampling. It was found that there are no gross destructive changes in the fascia structure. Minor changes are detected in the form of a light disorganization of the collagen complex, granular dystrophy with an increase in cell. Inflammatory diseases of the middle ear are widespread among population of all age groups. In the experiment, a positive result was obtained in 29 (82.8%) rabbits. In our research we performed morphological features of xenograft engraftment in an experimental animal on 3, 7, 14, 21 days and 1-3 months. In period from 3 days to 3 months after operation, the animals were euthanized by an air embolism and subjected to pathological examination. Then recovered xenograft, was examined macro and microscopically. Pieces were fixed in a 10% solution of neutral formalin. After washing with water, dehydration was carried out in alcohol and chloroform, and after, waxed with paraffin. Histological sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin. Collagen fibers were detected by method of Vann-Gieson.

Collagen matrix as a replacement for Gelfilm® for post-tympanostomy tube myringoplasty.

OBJECTIVE: Gelfilm® is no longer available for use in myringoplasty. We have substituted a commercially available collagen matrix (Biodesign® Otologic Repair Graft) for Gelfilm® as on onlay patch after removal of retained tympanostomy tubes. We compare the effectiveness of these two materials for post-tympanostomy tube myringoplasty. METHODS: Surgeries were performed in the same manner by residents supervised by the same surgeon during consecutive time periods. Tympanostomy tubes were removed under general anesthesia using a pick and cup forceps. Margins of the resultant perforation were rimmed and a patch placed on the lateral surface of the drum to cover the perforation. Children were seen at 4 weeks after surgery. Tympanic membrane closure was assessed by otoscopy and tympanometry. Patient age at time of myringoplasty, laterality (right/left/bilateral), and presence or absence of a persistent perforation at one month follow-up were tabulated. Total duration of tympanic intubation, tube design and material, reason for tube removal, and additional risk factors (trisomy 21, cleft palate, midfacial anomalies) were analyzed. RESULTS: 55 children met inclusion criteria. 28 children (36 ears) were patched with Gelfilm®. 27 children (35 ears) were patched with collagen matrix. Median ages at surgery and duration of intubation were similar in the two groups. There were persistent perforations at 4 weeks in 5/28 children (5/36 ears, 14%) with Gelfilm®, and 3/27 children (3/35 ears, 9%) with collagen matrix. There was no significant difference in the rate of persistent perforation between the two materials by Fisher's exact test by patients (p = 0.7049) or by ears (p = 0.7101; OR: 1.72; 95% CI 0.38-7.82). CONCLUSION: Gelfilm® and collagen matrix patches performed similarly in the operating room. Rates of tympanic membrane closure were comparable in this pilot study. Larger patient numbers will be needed to prove equivalence or superiority of collagen matrix for this application.

Comparison of postoperative infection and graft uptake rate using single dose of intravenous co-amoxiclav versus no antibiotic in children undergoing myringoplasty: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To compare postoperative infection and graft uptake rate using single dose of intravenous co-amoxiclav versus no antibiotic in children undergoing myringoplasty. METHODS: This is a prospective, randomized controlled study conducted in children of age 6-15 years with chronic otitis media (COM) mucosal, inactive type undergoing myringoplasty. Postoperative infection over a period of 4 weeks and status of graft at or around 3 months after surgery was studied as outcome measure. RESULTS: Fifty five out of sixty children completed follow-up. The overall postoperative infection rate was 5.4%. Postoperative infection rate was 3.5% in children receiving prophylactic antibiotic and 7.4% in children receiving no antibiotic. There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative infection between two groups (P > 0.05). The overall graft uptake rate was 87.27%. It was 85.7% in antibiotic used group and 88.8% in non-antibiotic group with no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative infection following myringoplasty in children is uncommon as it is a clean type of surgery. There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative infection and graft uptake rate by the use of prophylactic antibiotic in the intraoperative period. This study shows no benefit of a prophylactic antibiotic on postoperative infection or graft success in myringoplasty in children. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03700814.

Determinants influencing success rates of myringoplasty in daily practice: a retrospective analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine influencing factors on tympanic membrane closure and their consequence on absolute risks of closure and hearing improvement in myringoplasties. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. SETTING: Medium-sized medical centrum. PARTICIPANTS: 195 patients were analysed who underwent a myringoplasty between January 2015 and February 2017 at the Jeroen Bosch Hospital in The Netherlands. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient-related data, descriptions of the tympanic defect, surgical data, and the most important follow-up data were collected. Primary outcome is successful closure of the tympanic membrane and the secondary outcome is the amount of air-bone gap improvement after surgery. RESULTS: The overall success rate of the myringoplasty graft was 74.9%. If cartilage and butterfly graft were used, higher success rates of 85.4% and 85.5% were achieved compared to temporalis fascia (61.3%). Success rate of the operation was dependent of the skills of the surgeon. Chances of success are 91.9% if the operation is performed by an experienced surgeon using cartilage and 66.7% if a less experienced surgeon uses fascia. If a postoperative complication occurs or when silastic sheets are used, this might have a negative effect on the success of the operation. The mean ABG improved 10.10 dB if the perforation was closed compared to 3.38 dB after an unsuccessful procedure. CONCLUSION: The success rate of a myringoplasty is dependent of the skills of the surgeon and type of graft used and varies between 91.9 and 52.0% depending on these factors.

Miringoplastia con injerto doble medial y lateral / Double medial and lateral graft in myringoplasty

Objetivos: Se describe la técnica quirúrgica del injerto doble medial y lateral de fascia autóloga, sus indicaciones y resultados. Material y método: Se estudian las características preoperatorias y al año de la intervención de 100 casos intervenidos de miringoplastia con la técnica de injerto doble medial y lateral de fascia autóloga. Se analizan los resultados anatómicos y funcionales. Resultados: Los resultados se valoran al año de la intervención. En el 95% de los casos conseguimos el cierre de la perforación. La incidencia de persistencia de las perforaciones es del 12,5% en los niños menores de 10 años y del 2,5% en niños mayores de 10 años y adultos. Las complicaciones son un 4% de perlas epiteliales con engrosamiento del neotímpano, un 1% de retracciones del neotímpano y un 3% de epitelitis que se resuelven con tratamiento médico tópico. La recuperación auditiva es del 85% de cierres del UDA medio a menos de 20 dB (el 38% a menos de 10dB y el 47% entre 10 y 20 dB). Se analizan las posibles causas del cierre incompleto del UDA, posiblemente relacionados con fibrosis y esclerosis de los restos timpánicos y/o la cadena osicular. Conclusiones: Se concluye que esta metodología nos proporciona los mejores resultados en comparación con otras que hemos utilizado y hemos relegado a situaciones muy específicas atendiendo al tamaño y localización de la perforación

Objectives: A surgical technique for a double medial and lateral overlay autologous fascia graft myringoplasty is described in this paper along with its indications and results. Material and method: The presurgical and one year post surgery characteristics are analyzed for 100 cases with the double medial and lateral overlay autologous fascia graft technique. The anatomical and functional results are analyzed. Results: The results are analyzed one year post surgery. The probabilities of obtaining a graft take using this methodology are 95%. The incidence of persistence of the perforations is 12.5% in children under 10 and 2.5% in children over ten years of age and adults. The complications are 4% of epithelial pearls with blunting of the neo-tympanum, 1% of retractions and 3% of epithelitis which is resolved with a topical medical treatment. The average residual air/bone gap is less than 20 dB in 85% of the cases. Less than 10 dB in 38%, and between 10 and 20 dB in 47%. The causes for incomplete closure of the gap are analyzed; possibly related to fibrosis and sclerosis of the tympanic remnants and/or the ossicular chain. Conclusions: It is concluded that this methodology provides the best results in comparison with other methods we have used and have set aside for very specific situations related to the size and location of the perforation

Double-Layer Tympanic Membrane Graft in Type I Tympanoplasty.

BACKGROUND: Some discussion remains among otologists regarding the best grafts for tympanic membrane closure. It is unclear whether double-layer grafts are superior to single-layer and whether single-layer cartilage is superior to fascia or perichondrium alone. The objective of the current study was to examine the relative efficacy of single-layer versus double-layer tympanic membrane grafting techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of the medical records was used to address the objective of the study. Patients operated on in an over/under technique by the same surgeon underwent single-layer perichondrium or single-layer perichondrium with a cartilage island, or a double-layer of perichondrium combined with periochondrium with a cartilage island. The outcomes assessed were tympanic membrane reperforation and hearing improvement. RESULTS: A total of 135/177 (76%) perichondrium grafts had no reperforation, and 43/55 (78%) perichondrium with cartilage island grafts had no reperforation; 352/390 (90%) of the double-layer closures had no reperforation. There was no statistically significant difference in reperforation rates between the 2 single-layer techniques (P = .926). The difference in reperforation rates after the double-layer closure versus the perichondrium single-layer closure was statistically significant (P = .001), as was the difference in reperforation rates after the double-layer closure versus the cartilage island single-layer closure (P = .02). All 3 groups showed statistically significant hearing improvement postoperatively (P < .0001). Preoperative hearing levels (P = .179), postoperative hearing (P = .857), and decibels of hearing improvement (P = .356) were the same for all 3 groups. CONCLUSION: Double-layer closure gives lower tympanic membrane reperforation rates than does single-layer closure, as well as similar hearing outcomes.

Type 1 tympanoplasty in pediatric patients: Comparison of fascia and perichondrium grafts.

OBJECTIVE: The timing of tympanoplasty in the pediatric age group is an ongoing debate. The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare the success of grafts in type 1 tympanoplasty in pediatric patients, and to evaluate the prognostic factors that may affect its success. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 42 pediatric patients who were younger than 18 years and underwent a primary type 1 tympanoplasty using tragal cartilage perichondrium and temporalis fascia from January 2013 to December 2018, were evaluated. A total of 42 medical records of children aged between 8 and 18 years (20 female, 22 male) were reviewed. Age, gender, co-morbidities, perforation size and location, type (central, marginal), pre- and post-operative hearing levels, mean air-bone gap (ABG), graft material (fascia, perichondrium), length of follow up and surgical outcomes were collected. RESULTS: The overall graft success rate was 83.3% (out of 35 patients). The graft success rate was significantly higher 95.2% (20/21) for the perichondrium group compared with 71.4% (15/21) for the temporal fascia group(p = 0.023). The functional success rate (postoperative air-bone gap<20 dB) obtained in the perichondrium group was 90.4% (19/21) and 85.7% (18/21) in the fascia group, respectively. After a mean follow-up of 27.5 ±â€¯11.55 months, the mean hearing improvement was 11.26 ±â€¯7.53 dBHL for overall the group. Presence of contralateral otitis media with effusion (OME) was found a risk for reperforation and bilateral perforations were negatively affected graft success rate (p < 0.01). Graft success did not affected by age, gender and type and location of perforation (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both temporalis fascia and tragal cartilage perichondrium are suitable graft materials for pediatric tympanoplasty with 83.3% of graft success rate. Tragal cartilage perichondrium may be the first choice of graft material due to its high success rates. There were no significant differences between the fascia and perichondrium groups in terms of functional results. Reperforation is more likely to occur in bilateral perforations and contralateral OME, and should be treated with perichondrium or cartilage graft.

Platelet-Rich Plasma Fat Graft versus Cartilage Perichondrium for Repair of Medium-Size Tympanic Membrane Perforations.

OBJECTIVES: To compare clinical and audiologic outcomes among patients who underwent myringoplasty with fat graft enriched with platelet-rich plasma and cartilage perichondrium graft. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective randomized controlled study. SETTING: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tanta University, Egypt. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study comprised 50 patients who had tympanic membrane perforation of medium size (25%-50% of its surface area) without evidence of active otitis media or ossicular abnormalities and who had surgery between December 2016 and December 2017. Patients randomly underwent myringoplasty with fat graft enriched with platelet-rich plasma (group 1) or cartilage perichondrium graft (group 2). RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were included in each group. Rates of successful closure at 3-month follow-up were 88% (group 1) and 92% (group 2). The mean overall improvement in pure tone average was 18.08 dB (95% CI, 16.9-19.25) for group 1 and 18.24 dB (95% CI, 16.94-19.53) for group 2. CONCLUSION: Fat graft enriched with platelet-rich plasma can be recommended as an alternative choice for first-line treatment of medium-size central perforations of the tympanic membrane, with healing and hearing results comparable to those of conventional cartilage perichondrium myringoplasty.

Double medial and lateral graft in myringoplasty. / Miringoplastia con injerto doble medial y lateral.

OBJECTIVES: A surgical technique for a double medial and lateral overlay autologous fascia graft myringoplasty is described in this paper along with its indications and results. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The presurgical and one year post surgery characteristics are analyzed for 100 cases with the double medial and lateral overlay autologous fascia graft technique. The anatomical and functional results are analyzed. RESULTS: The results are analyzed one year post surgery. The probabilities of obtaining a graft take using this methodology are 95%. The incidence of persistence of the perforations is 12.5% in children under 10 and 2.5% in children over ten years of age and adults. The complications are 4% of epithelial pearls with blunting of the neo-tympanum, 1% of retractions and 3% of epithelitis which is resolved with a topical medical treatment. The average residual air/bone gap is less than 20dB in 85% of the cases. Less than 10dB in 38%, and between 10 and 20dB in 47%. The causes for incomplete closure of the gap are analyzed; possibly related to fibrosis and sclerosis of the tympanic remnants and/or the ossicular chain. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that this methodology provides the best results in comparison with other methods we have used and have set aside for very specific situations related to the size and location of the perforation.

Tinnitus and taste disturbances reported after myringoplasty: Data from a national quality registry.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Postoperative tinnitus and taste disturbances after myringoplasty are more common than previously reported. STUDY DESIGN: This study was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from the Swedish National Quality Registry for Myringoplasty. METHODS: The analysis was performed on extracted data from all counties in Sweden collected from database A from 2002 to 2012 and database B from 2013 to 2016. Tinnitus and taste disturbance complications 1 year after myringoplasty were analyzed in relation to gender, age, procedure, and success rate. In database A, physicians reported tinnitus and taste disturbances. In database B, patients reported the complications. RESULTS: A major difference was found when the complications were reported by physicians compared to when the complications were reported by patients. In database A, tinnitus was reported in 1.2% of the patients and taste disturbances in 0.5%. In database B, the frequencies were 12.3% and 11.2%, respectively. Tinnitus and taste disturbances were more frequent after conventional myringoplasty compared to those after fat grafting and were more frequent after primary compared to those after revision surgery when reported by physicians. Patients, however, reported the same frequency of tinnitus after fat graft myringoplasty compared to that after conventional myringoplasty (12.0% vs. 12.6%) and fewer taste disturbances after revision surgery. In follow-up assessments, complications persisted after surgery over a long time period. CONCLUSION: Tinnitus and taste disturbances are more common after myringoplasty when patients report their symptoms than when physicians report the symptoms. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2b Laryngoscope, 129:209-215, 2019.

Anatomical and functional long-term results of endoscopic butterfly inlay myringoplasty.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term anatomical (graft success) and functional (audiological) results of endoscopic butterfly inlay myringoplasty. METHODS: The files of 56 patients (29 female, 27 male) who were diagnosed with noncomplicated chronic otitis media and underwent endoscopic butterfly inlay myringoplasty in 2014-2016 at a tertiary referral center were reviewed. Age, gender, follow-up time, perforation location (anterior, posterior and central), perforation size (small, medium), pre- and postoperative pure tone audiometry (PTA) thresholds, pre- and postoperative air-bone gaps (ABG) and complications were noted. RESULTS: Graft success rate was 98.2% in postoperative 12th month and 94.6% in postoperative 24th month. In all patients, mean PTA for air conduction was 35.2 ± 3.9 dB preoperatively and 27.5 ± 4.3 dB in postoperative 6th month, 25.1 ± 3.5 dB in postoperative 12th month and 20.4 ± 3.2 in postoperative 24th month. Preoperative mean ABG was 24.2 ± 3.8 dB, whereas 19.5 ± 4.3 dB 6 months after surgery, 17.1 ± 3.5 dB 12 months after surgery and 12.4 ± 3.1 dB 24 months after surgery. There was significant difference between pre- and postoperative PTA and ABG in all 6th, 12th, 24th month follow-up (p = 0.001 for all measurements). Three patients (5%) had myringitis after surgery. Two patients (3%) had total graft resorption. CONCLUSION: We suggested that endoscopic butterfly inlay myringoplasty is a safe surgical method with high graft success and effective hearing reconstruction. Follow-up is necessary for at least 2 years for precise anatomical and functional evaluation of the surgery.

Intraoperative thermal safety of endoscopic ear surgery utilizing a holder.

PURPOSE: Despite the ever-growing popularity of endoscopic ear surgery (EES), there are still concerns regarding the potential thermal risk associated with the use of light sources and also questions raised about the thermal safety of extended stationary applications of endoscopes with holders that allow the use of both hands in the middle ear. The temperature changes witnessed during EES when using different calipers on static endoscopes fitted with camera holders during true operations were measured, and effects of varying light source intensities, as well as the cooling effect of irrigation and suction, were investigated. METHODS: This study included 12 patients with chronic otitis who were scheduled to undergo myringoplasty surgery. Two of five different endoscopes with xenon light sources (4 mm-0°, 3 mm-0°, 2.7 mm-0°, 3 mm-45° and, 2.7 mm-30°) were used on each patient. Following irrigation and aspiration, gradually increasing heat measurements were recorded at two-minute intervals using a thermocouple thermometer for the entire period the endoscope remained in the ear. Three measurements obtained within the final 6 min, all of which were the same and reached a plateau, were considered to be the peak heat value. Measurements were repeated twice in each patient at 100% and 50% light intensities. RESULTS: The highest heat was recorded by the 4 mm-0° endoscope, with heats at 100% and 50% light intensity recorded as 48.4 °C and 43.2 °C, respectively. The highest heat was measured by the 2.7 mm-0° endoscope, and heats recorded at 100% and 50% light intensities were 37.8 °C and 35.3 °C, respectively. CONCLUSION: Stationary use of endoscopes with 3 mm and smaller calipers without irrigation or aspiration, the heat in the middle ear would appear to be safe, and at a level that does not cause thermal trauma to tissue. The present study demonstrates that frequent aspiration or intermittent irrigation may prevent potential thermal damage, even in procedures performed using endoscopes of a 4 mm caliper. Light intensity settings of 50% can be adopted as a further safety measure against potential thermal risk without compromising visual acuity.