The outcomes of endoscopic myringoplasty: packing with gelatin sponge versus packing with nothing.

Background: Packing with gelatin sponge has long been widely used in myringoplasty. However, there is no research on packing with nothing.Aims/objectives: To analyse the differences between packing with gelatin sponge and packing with nothing.Material and methods: Patients with tympanic membrane perforation were randomly divided into a packing with gelatin sponge group and a packing with nothing group. Differences between the groups were compared.Results: The operation time of group A (34.00 ± 1.05 min) was significantly shorter than that of group B (42.20 ± 1.40 min; p < .00); 1 patient (2.86%) in group A and 35 patients (100%) in group B had a dry ear time of longer than 1 week (p < .001). Ten patients (28.57%) in group A and 24 patients (68.57%) in group B had aural fullness after the operation (p < .001). The air-bone gap (ABG) in group A was smaller than that in group B at 1 week, 1 month, 2 months and 3 months after the operation (p < .05).Conclusion and significance: Group A achieved the same good results, but it had a short operation time, an early dry ear time, a low incidence of aural fullness and early recovery of hearing.

Factors affecting the treatment outcomes of myringoplasty in patients with small tympanic membrane perforations.

PURPOSE: Factors affecting the outcomes of myringoplasty have been widely discussed but remain controversial. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the factors associated with the outcomes of myringoplasty treating small tympanic membrane perforations (defined as those involving less than 30% of the whole eardrum area) in patients with a history of chronic otitis media. METHODS: The clinical demographic data, preoperative pure tone audiometry, surgical procedures, and surgical outcomes of patients with small tympanic perforations were analyzed statistically. Overlay myringoplasty was performed in 24 ears (45.27%); Gelfoam® plugs were placed in 29 ears (54.73%). Univariate and multivariate tests among demographic, surgical procedure-related, hearing test-related factors were performed. RESULTS: A total of 53 patients (22 males and 31 females) were enrolled (mean age 54.84 ± 15.51 years). Fourteen patients (26.41%) had the habit of cigarette smoking, 8 (15.09%) had diabetes mellitus, 20 (37.73%) had a past history of chronic otitis media, 5 (9.43%) had a history of grommet insertion, 5 (9.43%) had received radiotherapy in the head and neck region, and 1 (1.88%) had microtia. The success rate for overlay myringoplasty using Silastic® sheets was 54.16%; the success rate for Gelfoam® plugs was 54.16%. On univariate analysis, smoking, older age, and the mean air conduction and bone conduction hearing levels significantly affected the surgical outcomes. Cigarette smoking was the only independent (negative) prognostic factor of surgical success on multivariate analysis (OR  = 0.1614, 95% CI: 0.0336-0.7762, p = 0.0228). CONCLUSION: As for surgical repair for the small tympanic membrane perforations with a history of chronic otitis media, age, cigarette smoking, mean air conduction threshold, and mean bone conduction threshold were associated with surgical outcomes; cigarette smoking was the independent predictive prognostic factor for the surgical outcomes.

Investigation of Novel Grafts in Use for Pediatric Tympanoplasty.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of allograft and xenograft in pediatric tympanoplasty on patient outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of 50 pediatric patients undergoing tympanoplasty at a single tertiary pediatric hospital system that received either autograft, allograft, or xenograft. Patients were evaluated for persistent perforation, recurrent perforation, revision surgery, and postoperative infection. Hearing outcomes, operative charges, and operative time were also evaluated. Statistical analyses included chi-square and Fisher exact tests for categorical data and Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney tests for continuous data. RESULTS: Half of the cohort received autografts, whereas 38% received xenografts and 14% received allografts. Although there was not a significant difference in charges associated with these procedures, xenografts had the shortest mean operative time (mean: 39 vs 68 minutes in autografts, p = .05). Overall, the rate of persistent perforation was 10%, recurrent perforation was 20%, revision surgery was 16%, and postoperative infection was 18%. There were no differences in the rates of these outcomes by graft type. Furthermore, there was no observed difference in hearing outcomes among autograft and xenograft recipients, but allograft recipients had significantly improved hearing postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Similar rates of complications were observed among autografts, xenografts, and allografts, providing preliminary evidence that they are safe to use in pediatric tympanoplasty.

Comparing Spontaneous Closure and Paper Patching in Traumatic Tympanic Membrane Perforations.

The authors aim to analyze the effects of oral antibiotic treatment for traumatic tympanic membrane perforations and to compare the outcomes of patients with traumatic tympanic membrane perforation after paper-patching procedure and spontaneous healing.In this study, 80 patients with traumatic tympanic membrane perforation diagnosed in the otorhinolaryngology emergency department and outpatient clinic from March 2010 to January 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. If the patient is diagnosed at first week and the edge of perforation is moist with blood, our routine procedure is paper-patching (group 1). However, if the patients reject treatment or delay in admission, the authors follow up patients for spontaneous closure (group 2). Some of the patients got oral antibiotics for 7 days (amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, 1000 mg 2 times/d) while some others did not. Closure rates and effectivity of oral antibiotics were evaluated and compared between 2 groups.In total, 80 patients were analyzed. The closure rates of perforations were 95.2% for group 1 (n = 42) and 81.6% for group 2 (n = 38). Although the paper-patched patients (group 1) perforation closure rate (95.2%) is higher than the nontreated patients (group 2) closure rate (81.6%), it is not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Antibiotic administered 55 patients had a significantly higher closure rate (94.5%) than the 25 patients who are not treated with antibiotics (76%) (P = 0.023; P < 0.05).In patients with traumatic tympanic membrane perforations, spontaneous closure rate is quite high. This study showed us that antibiotherapy and paper-patch treatments increase the healing rates.

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.

Role of Endoscopic Modified Inlay Butterfly Cartilage Perichondrium Myringoplasty in Hearing Outcome and Graft Uptake.

Background The endoscopes have better optics and magnification with wide angle of view due to angled lenses. It provides the excellent resolution of image in surgeries having many difficult anatomic nooks and corners like; antero-inferior recess of external auditory canal, middle ear cavity and difficult areas to visualize under microspore like sinus tympani. Likewise, the use of cartilage has very low metabolic rate, provide support to prevent retraction and reacts minimally to inflammatory reaction, so it has advantageous role in closure of tympanic membrane perforations. Objective The main objective of our study is to see the graft uptake rate and hearing results after endoscopic cartilage myringoplasty with our own modification. Method This is a prospective, cohort study conducted among 37 patients who underwent endoscopic modified inlay butterfly cartilage perichondrium myringoplasty using tragal cartilage. The hearing was assessed by comparing pre with post-operative ABG (Air bone gap) and ABG closure in speech frequencies (500Hz, 1KHz, 2KHz, 4KHz). Result Among 42 patients, 37 (88.09%) had graft uptaken. Other five patients had residual perforation because of infection. The post-operative ABG was smaller than pre-operative ABG.(26.41±8.47dB and 36.57±12.13dB respectively). The mean ABG closure was 10.15±10.23dB. The ABG closure was ≤ 10dB in 28(75.6%) patients. Conclusion Endoscopic modified inlay butterfly cartilage perichondrium myringoplasty has advantages in terms of hearing results and graft uptake rate as it is comparable or even better than others. So, it is advisable to perform this technique without any difficulty.

A trans-well-based cellular model for the rapid pre-evaluation of tympanic membrane repair materials.

It is important to have a standardized tympanic membrane (TM) perforation platform to evaluate the various myringoplasty materials that have been studied and developed extensively during recent years. However, currently there are no cellular models specifically designed for this purpose, and animal models remain unsatisfactory. The purpose of this study is to propose an inexpensive, readily available, well-controlled, and easy-to-create cellular model as a substitute for use in the evaluation of TM repairing materials. A trans-well model was created using a cell culture insert with a round hole created at the center of the polycarbonate membrane. HaCaT cells were cultured on the fenestrated culture insert, and the desired myringoplasty graft was placed at the center of the window for one week and observed by fluorescent microscopy under vital staining. Under this cellular model, there was notable migration of HaCaT cells onto the positive control graft (rabbit fascia), while only a few cell clusters were observed on the negative control graft (paper). Model validation showed that the cell migration ratio for the PLLA + 1% hyaluronic acid (HA) graft is significantly higher than using myringoplasty paper, poly L-lactide (PLLA), or PLLA + 0.5% HA (p < 0.05). This trans-well-based cellular model might be a useful pre-evaluation platform for the evaluation of TM repairing materials. The model is inexpensive, readily available, easy to create, and standardized for use.

Hyaluronic acid fat graft myringoplasty vs fat patch fat graft myringoplasty.

We aim to compare the hyaluronic acid to fat graft myringoplasty (HAFGM) technique to a recently described modified-FGM (M-FGM) in the repair of tympanic membrane perforation (TMP). We also aim to evaluate the hearing level improvement postoperatively. We conducted a prospective study in an adult tertiary care center between 2012 and 2013. Adult patients presenting with simple TMP were operated on randomly using either HAFGM or M-FGM under local anesthesia in outpatients' settings. Success was considered when complete closure is achieved. Audiometric parameters were evaluated pre and postoperatively. Twenty-four patients were included in the study (HAFGM: 10 patients and M-FGM: 14 patients). Complete closure was achieved in 80 % in HAFGM vs 42.8 % in the M-FGM (p = 0.03). The study was abandoned due to the low success rate in first 14 patients of the M-FGM group. The pure tone audiometry was improved postoperatively in the HAFGM only. The study was aborted because of the unsatisfactory obtained results using the MFGM. It also shows the beneficial effect of hyaluronic acid application to FGM for a successful TMP repair.

[Tips & tricks--collar button technique: safe and patient friendly myringoplasty technique]. / Tipps & Tricks--Kragenknopf-Technik: sichere und patientenschonende Technik zum Trommelfelldefektverschluss.

Background: The inlay cartilage butterfly myringoplasty is a simple technique with few complications for closure of tympanic membrane defects introduced by Eavey 1998, but still not often used. Its advantages consist in avoiding of exposure the tympanic cavity and possible blunting, option to operate both ears at once, safe local anaesthesia, reduction of operation time and cost, minimal postoperative care and patient comfort. Patients and Methods: We operated 10 patients using a to date not described simple cartilage transplant without perichondrium. Reason, localisation, extent and duration of the defect as well as complications, patient assessment and pure tone audiogram were analysed. Results: All defects were closed six months postoperative. Seven patients rated hearing as improved, two as non-changed and one patient showed deafness in the pure tone audiogram pre- and postoperative. The average air-bone gap of the thresholds at frequencies 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 kHz was 8.6 dB postoperative as compared to 16.3 dB preoperative. It could be shown that pure cartilage transplants without perichondrium used for defects up to 6mm in diameter were enwrapped by the tympanic membrane and covered by capillaries. Conclusion: The inlay cartilage butterfly myringoplasty is a safe and gentle technique for tympanic membrane defect closure.

A randomized prospective trial of a novel device for measuring perforation size during inlay 'butterfly' myringoplasty.

AIM: This study introduces a new device to facilitate perforation size measurement during "butterfly" myringoplasty. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of 'otological compass' on short-term results of inlay cartilaginous 'butterfly' tympanoplasty technique in adult patients. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled, blinded. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included 25 patients who underwent inlay cartilage myringoplasty. All operations were performed under general anesthesia by the same surgeon with a microscope-assisted approach. The patients were divided randomly and consecutively into two groups: Group 1 (n=12) had perforation dimensions and shape measured using the Otologic Compass (OC) and the control group (n=13) had perforation measured by means of a Fisch elevator. The duration of surgery, number of trials for correct placement of the cartilage graft, results and complications of the surgery were evaluated and compared. RESULTS: The mean follow-up duration was 6 months. Groups were similar in terms of age and perforation diameters (p>0.05). Average number of cartilage shaping before satisfactory graft fitting was significantly fewer in the OC group: 1.1 ± 0.3 and 2.2 ± 0.6 trials for OC and control groups, respectively (p<0.001). Mean duration of preparation and satisfactory graft fitting was 9.6 ± 4.2 minutes in the OC group whereas it was 18.1 ± 5.2 minutes for the control group. Operative duration was significantly shorter in the OC group (p<0.001). At the end of the follow-up period, successful closure occurred 91.7% and 84.6% patients in the OC and control groups, respectively (p>0.05). The mean preoperative to postoperative three-tone air-bone gap improved 7.9 dB and 9.0 dB in OC and control groups, respectively (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: This study shows that OC presents as a useful tool that expedites and refines butterfly myringoplasty procedure. The number of cartilage shaping prior to satisfactory graft fitting revealed significantly better results: almost all surgeries in the OC group were complete after a single cartilage shaping attempt.

Chondroperichondrial clip myringoplasty: a new technique for closure of tympanic membrane perforations.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of the recently described chondroperichondrial clip myringoplasty technique, and make comparisons with conventional myringoplasty techniques. METHODS: The study comprised a select group of patients with chronic otitis media (mucosal disease only), with central tympanic membrane perforations affecting less than 50 per cent of the pars tensa, and an air-bone gap below 35 dB. A modified custom-made cartilage perichondrial graft was placed using the recently described 'clip' technique. RESULTS: The graft success rate was 91.3 per cent. Post-operatively, the air-bone gap was within 10 dB in 52 per cent of cases and within 10-20 dB in 48 per cent of cases. There were few minor complications. CONCLUSION: Chondroperichondrial clip myringoplasty can be considered as an alternative minimally invasive technique for the repair of select cases of tympanic membrane perforations. This technique, which showed impressive results, was associated with minimum morbidity and reduced operative time.

Poly(glycerol sebacate)-engineered plugs to repair chronic tympanic membrane perforations in a chinchilla model.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the degree of neovascularization and efficacy of repair of chronic tympanic membrane perforations in a chinchilla model using poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS), a novel bioengineered scaffold material. STUDY DESIGN: A feasibility study in which chinchilla ears with chronic perforations were randomly assigned to repair with PGS plugs or Gelfilm overlay myringoplasty. SETTING: Interventions were performed in the animal care facility of a tertiary care academic institution. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Sixteen adult female chinchillas. Perforations were established under microscopic visualization with thermal cautery. The animals were examined six weeks later, and those ears with stable perforations were randomly assigned to repair with PGS or Gelfilm. All ears were evaluated six weeks after repair, and resected membranes underwent histological evaluation. RESULTS: Chronic perforations were established in 22 of 32 (69%) chinchilla tympanic membranes. Nineteen tympanic membranes were included in the study group (3 ears were excluded secondary to death from anesthesia during the repair); 11 were implanted with PGS, and eight underwent Gelfilm myringoplasty. Of the 11 tympanic membranes implanted with PGS, 10 were healed at six weeks, while six of the eight tympanic membranes repaired with Gelfilm had healed at six weeks. Imaging of the medial mucosal and lateral epithelial surfaces of the tympanic membranes revealed PGS plug incorporation with neovascularization. Histology demonstrated a confluent cell layer on both sides of the graft. CONCLUSIONS: PGS plugs are easily placed and allow for perforation closure and graft neovascularization in a chinchilla model.

Utilization of CO(2) laser for temporal fascia graft welding in myringoplasty: an experimental study on guinea pigs.

UNLABELLED: An experimental study was undertaken to investigate the use of a CO(2) laser welding technique in myringoplasty. Albumin solder was used to fix a temporal fascia graft via an overlay transcanal approach. The results of the operative procedure were assessed by microscopic and histopathologic examination over an interval of 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks postoperatively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight adult guinea pigs were divided into two groups after permanent perforation of the tympanic membrane was created: laser-assisted myringoplasty group and surgical myringoplasty group. Laser beam power was 0.4 W, pulse duration 0.75 s, pulse interval 0.1 s and spot size 250 microm. Each experimental group was further subdivided into four subgroups of 6 animals each. Histological and microscopic findings of the tympanic membrane for both groups after 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks were compared. RESULTS: Microscopic examination of the tympanic membrane showed high success rate in the laser-assisted myringoplasty group compared to the control group. Histological evaluation for the tympanic membrane showed complete repair of the tympanic membrane in the laser-assisted myringoplasty group. CONCLUSION: Laser-assisted myringoplasty using CO(2) might be a promising new method in surgical myringoplasty.

Basic fibroblast growth factor combined with atelocollagen for closing chronic tympanic membrane perforations in 87 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To present the clinical results of closing chronic tympanic membrane (TM) perforations using basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) combined with an atelocollagen/silicone bilayer membrane patch. STUDY DESIGN: Closure of TM perforations in 87 patients was attempted using bFGF, which is thought to promote the regeneration of TM tissues by facilitating the growth of fibroblasts and collagen fibers. METHODS: Under an operating microscope, the margin of the perforation was trimmed, and a piece of an atelocollagen/silicone bilayer membrane was placed in the perforation with the silicon layer facing outward and then infiltrated with 0.1 ml of trafermin. Data obtained from patient records included patient age, perforation size, and duration of treatment, with a focus on hearing improvement and complete TM closure. RESULTS: The mean perforation size before treatment was 14.4%. Complete closure of the TM perforation was achieved in 80 patients (92.0%), whereas pinholes remained in 5 patients (8.7%), and small perforations were observed in 2 patients (2.3%). In the patients with complete closure, the TM perforations closed after an average 1.8 treatments, and hearing improved by 13.6 dB. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that bFGF combined with atelocollagen is effective for the conservative treatment of TM perforation.

Grafts in myringoplasty: utilizing a silk fibroin scaffold as a novel device.

Chronic perforations of the eardrum or tympanic membrane represent a significant source of morbidity worldwide. Myringoplasty is the operative repair of a perforated tympanic membrane and is a procedure commonly performed by otolaryngologists. Its purpose is to close the tympanic membrane, improve hearing and limit patient susceptibility to middle ear infections. The success rates of the different surgical techniques used to perform a myringoplasty, and the optimal graft materials to achieve complete closure and restore hearing, vary significantly in the literature. A number of autologous tissues, homografts and synthetic materials are described as graft options. With the advent and development of tissue engineering in the last decade, a number of biomaterials have been studied and attempts have been made to mimic biological functions with these materials. Fibroin, a core structural protein in silk from silkworms, has been widely studied with biomedical applications in mind. Several cell types, including keratinocytes, have grown on silk biomaterials, and scaffolds manufactured from silk have successfully been used in wound healing and for tissue engineering purposes. This review focuses on the current available grafts for myringoplasty and their limitations, and examines the biomechanical properties of silk, assessing the potential benefits of a silk fibroin scaffold as a novel device for use as a graft in myringoplasty surgery.

[CO2-laser-assisted de-epithelialization of perforation margins of persistent tympanic membrane perforations. An alternative to conventional surgical procedures]. / Die CO2-Laser-assistierte Perforationsanfrischung bei persistierender Trommelfellperforation. Eine Alternative zu konventionellen operativen Vorgehensweisen.

INTRODUCTION: The standard treatment of persistent eardrum perforation is conventional surgical closure using myringoplasty or a tympanoplasty type I. In this study the valence of a modified, CO(2)-laser-assisted de-epithelialization of perforation margins was investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 44 patients with mesotympanal eardrum perforation (diameter 1-5 mm) were included in a partially retrospective and partially prospective study. The genesis of the eardrum perforations was partially traumatic or the eardrum did not heal after spontaneous perforation caused by an acute otitis media or after surgery. The procedure was performed under topical anaesthesia. Focussed, adjacent, single CO(2) laser pulses (1 watt, 0.05 s) were applied with the laser otoscope Otoscan (Lumenis, Yokneam, Israel) along the edge of the perforation until complete de-epithelialization. This was done to stimulate growth. Closure of eardrum perforation was monitored using an ear microscope and if this treatment was not successful after three attempts conventional surgical therapy was suggested. RESULTS: Complete eardrum closure occurred in 27 cases (61%), 17 patients (39%) had a residual perforation, of which 9 experienced a significant reduction of the perforation. There were no complications during and after the treatment. CONCLUSION: A closure rate of at least 61% (27/44) can be expected with a CO(2)-laser-assisted de-epithelialization of the perforation margins. This procedure can be performed under topical anaesthesia and is an economic, painless and facile alternative to conventional surgical treatment.

Endoscope-assisted myringoplasty.

INTRODUCTION: To date, myringoplasty conducted under the operating microscope has been found to have its limitations. With the introduction of the endoscope into other branches of surgery, there have been attempts at its utilisation in otology. METHODS: Endoscope-assisted myringoplasty was carried out in 50 patients aged 18-45 years using the temporalis fascia graft. The middle ear was examined through perforation in order to exclude cholesteatoma. RESULTS: The overall success rate of the graft uptake and improvement in conductive deafness as air-bone gap closure was achieved in 80 percent of cases. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic myringoplasty was found to be equally effective, less morbid and very cost-effective in small central perforations. However, it is not applicable in all cases, especially in those with large perforations.

Diode laser myringotomy for chronic otitis media with effusion in adults.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the closure time of diode laser-assisted myringotomies, the incidence of complications, and the hearing results in comparison with the "cold" procedure in adults with otitis media with effusion (OME). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective case-control study. SETTING: Tertiary referral center, university hospital. PATIENTS: Twenty-eight adult patients (39 ears), 13 men and 15 women, age 13 to 76 years (mean, 51.9). Inclusion criteria included 3 months (or more) history of OME resistant to medical therapy. Twenty-two control patients (34 ears) underwent cold myringotomies with knife and ventilation tubes (VT). INTERVENTION: Diode laser myringotomy performed in an office setting under local anesthesia with topical EMLA ointment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Timing of closure of the myringotomy, hearing results, incidence of complications, recurrence of OME. RESULTS: No intra- or postoperative pain nor complications were observed. Otomicroscopic daily monitoring documented the healing patterns of the tympanostomies, which remained patent for 7 to 25 days (average, 15.6 +/- 4.8 days). Immediate improvement of hearing was achieved in every patient. Recurrence of OME was observed in 36 ears (92.3%) within 1 month from healing. In the control group with VTs, healing of the eardrum was observed between 126 and 301 days (average, 183.2 +/- 44.8 days), and recurrence of OME was observed in 8 ears (23.5%) (p < 0.001). One month after healing, the air-bone gap was retained within 10 dB in 10.3% (4/39) of the diode laser group and in 50% (17/34) of the standard procedure group (p=0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Diode laser myringotomy is a straightforward, painless procedure simplified by the thin fiberoptic cables available. Functional benefit is comparable to conventional tympanostomies plus VTs, but the duration of patency is too short to achieve long-term clearance of the effusion in "glue" ears of adult patients. Selected indications could be acute or recurrent otitis media or the prevention of barotraumas in tubal dysfunction.

Synchronous fat plug myringoplasty and tympanostomy tube removal in the management of refractory otorrhoea in younger patients.

OBJECTIVE: Tympanostomy tubes are associated with many complications, the most common being recurrent otorrhoea, in many cases resistant to medical treatment. With the associated vestibulo-cochlear toxicity of many topical antibiotics, their use is dose limited. Removal of the tympanostomy tube has been shown to cure the otorrhoea, however, it is associated with a high persistent perforation rate of 10-28%. A synchronous fat plug myringoplasty was performed with tube removal in an attempt to reduce the residual perforation rate. METHODS: A retrospective study of 13 consecutive children, nine male and four female, mean age 9.1 years (median=9, range 2-15), with a total of 15 ears (left=6, right=9) had either Shah Tubes (n=5), Shepard Tubes (n=1) or Shah Long Term Tubes (n=9) in-situ for middle ear effusions. The tubes were removed for recurrent otorrhoea. The tubes had been in-situ for a mean of 38.8 months (median=31, range 9-84 months). All ears had recurrent infections, with a variable response to topical antibiotics. All were under the care of one specialist, who performed all the procedures. At the time of tube removal, a standard fat graft myringoplasty was done. RESULTS: The procedure was successful in 15 of the 15 ears, and all perforations had closed by 3 weeks. Pure tone audiometry improved in 11 ears, remained the same in two and worsened in two (0-10 and 11-15 dBA, respectively). There were no complications arising from the procedure. Mean follow up was 13.7 months (median=9, range 3-31). None of the patients have re-perforated, but two have required re-ventilation of their middle ear for middle effusions, and one of these two has also undergone subsequent adeno-tonsillectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience in this small series shows that the removal of a tympanostomy tube for recurrent otorrhoea can be successfully managed with a fat plug myringoplasty, with the benefit of a reduction in the persistent perforation rate following tympanostomy tube removal. It is a simple technique that requires little extra operating time with no significant morbidity.