Pediatric salivary gland obstructive swelling: sialendoscopic approach.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of sialendoscopy as a diagnostic and interventional procedure for salivary ductal pathologies of children. DESIGN: Prospective case series study. SETTING: Tertiary care teaching hospitals. PATIENTS: Eight children were investigated under general anesthesia by sialendoscopy for recurring salivary gland swellings between 2003 to 2004 in two university centers. INTERVENTION: Diagnostic sialendoscopy was used for classifying ductal lesions as sialolithiasis or stenosis. Interventional sialendoscopy was used to treat these disorders. Different variables were analyzed: type of endoscope used, intraoperative findings, type of device used for sialoliths fragmentation or extraction, total number of procedures, and size and number of sialoliths removed. RESULTS: Five cases of parotid and three cases of submandibular gland recurring swellings were included in the present study. Diagnostic sialendoscopy was possible in all cases. Salivary stones were found in six patients and parotid ductal stenosis in the remaining two. Multiple stones were seen in two cases. Interventional sialendoscopy was also possible in all cases, allowing an intraductal retrieval of the stones in three cases, and a marsupialization of the duct in two cases. Two cases required laser fragmentation of the stone. No major complications occurred intraoperatively or during follow-up (mean 18 months). CONCLUSION: Diagnostic sialendoscopy is a new technique allowing a reliable evaluation of salivary ductal disorders in children, with low morbidity. Interventional sialendoscopy allows early treatment of pediatric sialoliths and stenosis in most cases, avoiding classical open surgery.

Management of postcricoid and upper esophageal hemangioma.

To discuss management of postcricoid and upper esophageal hemangiomas in infants. Four children presenting with progressive feeding and/or respiratory disturbance underwent endoscopy including systematic esophagoscopy revealing the hemangioma of the postcricoid area and extending to the lumen of the upper esophagus. In the three children with severe disturbance, systemic steroids were insufficient and open surgical excision brought the hemangioma under control. No significant stenosis occurred despite prolonged progressive oral feeding up to 1 month after surgery. The fourth child whose disturbance was moderate, was managed by intralesional steroids. Various solutions have been proposed for the treatment, i.e. conservative approach or partial or complete destruction or excision, management of postcricoid hemangioma by intralesional steroids or by open surgical excision. Indications will require greater series.

Intermediate-term and long-term results after treatment by cidofovir and excision in juvenile laryngeal papillomatosis.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed the intermediate-term and long-term efficacy of intralesional injection of cidofovir used with surgical excision in juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. METHODS: The protocol was revised during the study, from endoscopy at 4-week intervals with intralesional injection of cidofovir at 5 mg/mL, to a 2-week interval and a 7.5-mg/mL dosage. Partial surgical excision of hypertrophic papillomas was performed before the initiation of injection. Further injections at 4-week (or 2-week) intervals were performed until complete remission. RESULTS: Sixteen patients received a mean 8.9 injections. Complete remission was obtained in 12 patients (75%) after a mean 7.2 endoscopic treatments. Remission was stable at a mean 33.6 months' follow-up. Five of these 12 patients received 5.2 injections and remained disease-free at a mean 39.3 months' follow-up. Seven of the 12 had 1 relapse; they needed complementary treatment to become disease-free, and remained so thereafter over a mean 27.3 months' follow-up. The other 4 of the 16 patients (25%) continued to present active disease. CONCLUSIONS: Active endoscopic treatment until complete remission led to a higher-than-expected complete remission rate on intermediate-term to long-term follow-up, with or without relapse. Transient relapse was associated with a long delay in initiating cidofovir treatment.

Natural history of adult-onset laryngeal papillomatosis following multiple cidofovir injections.

OBJECTIVES: A prospective study was performed to assess the intermediate and long-term efficacy of intralesional cidofovir therapy associated with surgical excision in laryngeal papillomatosis in adults. METHODS: Endoscopy with intralesional injection of cidofovir 5 mg/mL was performed 3 times at 4-week intervals. The concentration was later increased to 7.5 mg/mL and the interval between injections shortened to 2 weeks. Further treatment was performed at 3 or 6 months, depending on the evolution of the papillomas. After complete remission, the treatment was stopped and the patients were reviewed every 6 months. RESULTS: Nineteen patients completed the protocol, with a mean of 4.5 injections each. Complete remission was obtained in 17 cases (89%) after a mean of 3.8 procedures. Remission was stable after a mean follow-up of 24 months (range, 8 to 57 months). With higher cidofovir concentrations at shorter intervals, patients needed fewer injections to achieve remission (mean, 2.1 versus 4.7 injections). CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness of intralesional cidofovir therapy in adult-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis was impressive. Once obtained, complete remission was stable on intermediate or long-term follow-up. The concentration and the interval between injections seemed to influence the number of injections necessary to achieve remission.

Cricotracheal resection in children weighing less than 10 kg.

OBJECTIVE: To review cricotracheal resection (CTR) in children weighing less than 10 kg. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective study of 17 patients (mean follow-up, 23 months) from 3 ear, nose, and throat pediatric centers. PATIENTS: Seventeen children (10 boys and 7 girls; mean age, 14.6 months; and mean weight, 7.6 kg) undergoing CTR from June 1995 to March 2003. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Decannulation rates and endoscopies. RESULTS: The cause was congenital subglottic stenosis in 2 children (12%) and acquired subglottic stenosis in 15 (88%). All but 1 had grade 3 or 4 stenosis. The mean hospitalization duration was 34 days. Single-stage CTR was performed in 11 children (65%), with peroperative decannulation in 7. Extubation of these patients occurred between days 3 and 9. Decannulation of the other 6 patients was performed after a median of 15 days. Sixteen (94%) of the 17 children were decannulated. Four patients required additional carbon dioxide laser treatment for subsequent glottic or subglottic edema or granulomas, but no reintubation was necessary. One child could not be decannulated because of bronchopulmonary disease, and subglottic stenosis recurred. Long-term tracheotomy was avoided in all other patients. Another child died of cardiac disease. All other patients remained free of significant subglottic stenosis at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Cricotracheal resection in small children weighing less than 10 kg was a safe and effective procedure for severe subglottic stenosis. To our knowledge, this is the first reported attempt of CTR in this weight category, providing results comparable to those published in older children.

Intralesional cidofovir and surgical excision for laryngeal papillomatosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of cidofovir intralesional therapy in recurrent respiratory papillomatosis and the role of surgical excision as an associated treatment. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study and case series. METHOD: Twenty-six patients received intralesional cidofovir. Three endoscopies were performed at monthly intervals, with intralesion injections of cidofovir at 5 mg/mL. Further endoscopic evaluation was made at 3 or 6 months depending on whether there was persistent papillomatosis. Cidofovir was again injected in the case of persistent papillomas, and treatment was repeated as long as papillomas were observed. Surgical excision of the papilloma was only performed in cases of airway obstruction or in cases proving resistant to cidofovir. RESULTS: Complete remission was obtained in 8 (31%) patients after an average of 2.6 endoscopic treatment. Seventeen (65%) patients presented slight or mild disease at endpoint (final severity score 1-4). Significant results were obtained in both adults and children. A greater response was obtained in the supraglottis and glottis subsites than in subglottis, tracheal, and other sites. Patients conforming to the 1 month interinjection schedule showed better responses in supraglottis subsite than those receiving their injections with intervals longer than 1 month. Combined therapy (cidofovir plus excision) was necessary in persistent papillomas. No patients presented with any systemic or local side effects. CONCLUSIONS: Cidofovir therapy was an effective treatment in adults and in children, allowing papillomatosis to be controlled without observed side effects. Surgical excision associated with cidofovir injections remained necessary in persistent papillomatosis after cidofovir treatment.

Cidofovir plasma assays after local injection in respiratory papillomatosis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess cidofovir plasma concentration after intralesional airway administration for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Tertiary care teaching hospital. PATIENTS AND METHOD: The study comprised 21 patients (10 children and 11 adults). Plasma samples were collected at 10 and 45 minutes (T10, T45) or at 10 and 60 minutes (T10, T60) after injection. The measurements of cidofovir were performed using a high-performance liquid chromatographic method. RESULTS: Plasma samples were collected at T10 and T45 on 19 occasions from the children and on 17 from the adults. A linear relationship was found between plasma concentration and dose in children (mean dose 1.2 mg/kg; mean cidofovir plasma levels 0.91 and 0.81 microg/mL) but not in adults (mean dose 0.2 mg/kg; mean plasma levels 0.21 and 0.31 microg/mL). The same relationships were found between dose and area under the concentration/time curve (AUC). Four plasma samples were taken in children at T10 and T60: mean dose 1.2 mg/kg and mean plasma concentrations 1.11 and 1.24 microg/mL. Maximum plasma concentration averaged 34% (SD 11%) in children and 62% (SD 33%) in adults, with equivalent plasma level after intravenous infusion of the same dose. CONCLUSIONS: The cidofovir plasma levels were below those leading to toxicity. The levels and the AUC were dose dependent in children but not in adults. Diffusion from the injected site was greatest in a few adults and unpredictable. Because of the great individual variation in diffusion in adults, cidofovir should be used at less than the recommended intravenous dose to prevent any risk of systemic toxicity.

Computer-assisted navigation system in pediatric intranasal surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To introduce a computer-assisted navigation system and to evaluate its application in pediatric sinusonasal surgery. METHODS: A commercially available wireless passive marker system that allows the calibration and tracking of virtually any instrument was adapted to children and used during pediatric endoscopic sinusonasal surgery. RESULTS: The headset localizer that was initially used in computed tomographic scanning was not well accepted by children. Correlation of the preoperative computed tomographic scan to the actual patient was made possible by a laser device. Setup time was able to be decreased from an initial 20 minutes to 3 minutes. The average recording accuracy was 1.1 mm. The advantages of the system became apparent as experience increased in cases involving sinus polyposis, choanal atresia, nasopharyngeal fibroma removal, tumor biopsy, and minimally invasive maxillary, frontal, and sphenoidal surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The computer-assisted navigation system was used first as a control system and then, as experience increased, as a true surgical guide. Indications for its use also increased. Pediatric intranasal surgery was performed using 2 complementary guides: an endoscopic view and a computed tomographic view of the instrument's position.

Controlled risk of stenosis after surgical excision of laryngeal hemangioma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk of subglottic stenosis after surgical excision of congenital subglottic hemangioma. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis and case series. SETTING: Tertiary care teaching hospital. PATIENTS: A total of 13 pediatric patients diagnosed with subglottic hemangioma with unilateral, bilateral, or circular lesions and more than 50% airway obstruction between 1992 and 2001. INTERVENTION: Open surgical excision was performed as a single-stage procedure either as primary or secondary intention. The cricoid cartilage was left open at the end of the procedure. Postoperative intubation was carried out in a pediatric intensive care unit. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: An adequate airway after surgical excision. RESULTS: All patients were successfully extubated. No recurrence was noted. Three patients developed subglottic stenosis, two grade 1 and one grade 2. All 3 showed a favorable outcome and did not require reintubation. One needed endoscopic management of the stenosis. Of these 3 cases, 2 occurred after carbon dioxide laser treatment (out of 3) and 1 after circumferential dissection (out of 3). CONCLUSIONS: Extubation after surgery was successful in all cases of subglottic hemangioma. Risk of subglottic stenosis was limited and occurred only after circumferential dissection, especially if associated with prior traumatic laser damage of the hemangioma.

Topical mitomycin as an adjunct to choanal atresia repair.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of topical mitomycin in choanal atresia repair to reduce the development of granulation tissue and cicatrix. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective case series in 2 tertiary care centers. PATIENTS: Twenty patients with either unilateral or bilateral congenital choanal atresia underwent repair using the transnasal endoscopic approach, the transpalatal approach, or both. INTERVENTIONS: The surgeons favor the use of the endoscopic transnasal drillout technique for all unilateral cases of choanal atresia and for selected bilateral cases. We describe our experience and treatment paradigm for these 20 patients (15 with unilateral atresia, 5 with bilateral atresia). Topical application of mitomycin was used, and in some cases postoperative stenting, for a period of 1 to 2 weeks. In 8 cases, a second application of mitomycin was used. Follow-up ranged from 3 months to 2 years (mean, 9 months). OUTCOME MEASURE: The patency of the choanae without respiratory distress or nasal drainage, as assessed by endoscopic evaluation, determined a successful repair. RESULTS: Of the 20 patients, 17 retained patent airways. Three patients experienced improvement from a total atresia to a narrowed, stenotic choana. CONCLUSIONS: The use of mitomycin as an adjunct to the surgical repair of choanal atresia may offer improved patency with a decreased need for stenting, dilatations, and revision surgery. Newer endoscopic techniques with powered instrumentation further enhance the safety and efficacy in the repair of choanal atresia.

Exclusively endoscopic removal of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma: trends and limits.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasible conditions for exclusive endoscopic resection of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma. DESIGN: Retrospective study of 20 patients, with a mean follow-up of 22 months. SETTING: Six academic referral hospitals. INTERVENTIONS: All patients had a preoperative computed tomographic or magnetic resonance imaging scan and at least 1 follow-up computed tomographic and/or magnetic resonance imaging scan 6 or 12 months after surgery. Exclusive endoscopic removal was performed using conventional functional endoscopic sinus surgery instrumentation after preoperative embolization. RESULTS: Using Radkowski staging, 4, 7, and 9 patients had stage I, II and IIIA tumors, respectively. Seven patients were operated on for a recurrence after open surgery. Extension toward the sphenoid sinus, pterygomaxillary fossa, or infratemporal fossa could be removed. There was no attempt at endoscopic removal of deep skull base or temporal fossa invasion. The mean surgery duration was 135 minutes; mean dimensions of the tumor were 4.5 x 4 x 3 cm; and mean blood loss was 350 mL (median, 300 mL). No recurrences occurred in this series; there were small asymptomatic remnants in 2 cases. CONCLUSIONS: An exclusively endoscopic management of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma appears to be effective for small to medium tumors. It should be considered as a first-choice option for these cases (in view of the minimal bleeding, shorter duration, and efficacy).

Tracheal juvenile xanthogranuloma in a child.

Juvenile xanthogranuloma is the most common form of non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis in children. It usually presents in the form of cutaneous lesions. Occasionally, the disease may affect other organs. Visceral forms are usually associated with cutaneous lesions, and are easily diagnosed. In isolated visceral occurrence, however diagnosis may prove difficult. Having the same spontaneous remission as cutaneous lesions, visceral lesions require treatment only in the case of serious dysfunction. We describe a case of isolated juvenile xanthogranuloma of the trachea, which has not previously been reported in children. The patient presented with serious respiratory symptoms that required immediate intervention.

CT-assisted surgery in choanal atresia.

OBJECTIVE: To limit restenosis after surgical repair of choanal atresia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 20 children (age range 3 days to 11 years) with choanal atresia underwent surgical repair using a microdebrider via an intranasal approach. Surgery was guided by CT. Mitomycin was administered at the end of the procedure. RESULTS: An average of 1.7 procedures per child were required. CT combined with peroperative endoscopy revealed postoperative neo-osteogenesis and insufficient bone resection. CONCLUSIONS: CT-assisted intranasal repair led to extended bone resection of the atretic plate, the predominant cause of which was restenosis resulting from neo-osteogenesis.

Restricting indications for sinonasal computed tomography in children with cystic fibrosis.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate whether a low rate of exposure to sinonasal computed tomographic (CT) scans can be achieved when strict criteria are applied for their use in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) and to emphasize the importance of limiting radiation exposure in the context of the current longer life expectancy in this group of patients. DESIGN Retrospective chart review. SETTING Tertiary care children's hospital. PATIENTS The study included 277 children who were regularly followed up in the CF clinic in the last 11 years (mean duration of follow up, 7.87 years), 33 of whom underwent sinonasal CT. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Indications used for scanning, health professional (ear, nose, and throat specialist or pulmonologist) ordering the test, eventual modifications of ongoing treatment according to CT results, and time lapse between CT scanning and surgery. RESULTS Of 277 children with CF, 33 (12%) underwent a total of 39 sinonasal CT scans during the follow-up period (0.018 scans per patient per year of follow-up). Twenty-nine of the CT scans (74% of all cases, 90% of CT scans ordered by the ear, nose, and throat surgeon) were performed in the preoperative context and demonstrated the extent of the polypoid disease whenever present (26 cases [90%]) and the cause of nasal obstruction (20 cases [69%]). The mean period between the scanning and the surgery was 57 days (range, 0.10-173 days). Computed tomographic scans that were not meant for preoperative planning were performed in 10 cases (26%). The indications were disease evaluation (10%), ruling out a mucocele (5%); pre-lung transplantation status (5%), ruling out an intraorbital complication (3%); and headache investigation (3%). The results of the scans did not modify the management of the disease in those patients. CONCLUSIONS With the use of stringent criteria, it is possible to achieve a low rate of exposure to sinonasal CT scans in the population of children with CF. The main indication should be the preoperative planning regarding anatomy, extent of disease, and sites of nasal obstruction. The use of CT scans for disease evaluation does not seem to appreciably modify the treatment course and could be avoided.

Training: simulating pediatric airway.

Training in the management of pediatric airway cases has been limited by the number of cases and by the involved risks to the child. Simulation is an alternative and accessible means to practice that complex psychomotor task in a safe and reproducible environment. A high-fidelity baby mannequin provides an acceptable airway anatomic resemblance combined with measurable respiratory and cardiovascular parameters, allowing practice to be interactive and challenging. The availability of simulation laboratories within hospitals and the development of pathology-inspired accessories for the mannequins will determine the rate of adherence of ENT departments to this evolving field of simulation-based education.

Current use of intralesional cidofovir for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The authors sought to define the indications, administration, and adverse events associated with intralesional cidofovir use for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP). STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: A 21-question online survey was distributed to 115 selected adult and pediatric laryngeal surgeons internationally. Results were used to draft statements of best practice, which were approved by the full membership of the RRP Task Force. RESULTS: Eighty-two surgeons, who altogether presently manage 3,043 patients with RRP, responded to the survey. Seventy-four surgeons previously used cidofovir, reporting 1,248 patients in the last decade (estimated 801 adults and 447 children). Single indications for adjuvant cidofovir included six or more surgeries per year, increasing frequency of surgery, and extralaryngeal spread (in children). Most adult surgeons use 20 to 40 mg in <4 mL; pediatric surgeons use <20 mg in <2 mL. Scheduled administration following an initiation trial of five injections is common; cidofovir is discontinued following a complete response. Most surgeons biopsy routinely, use special informed consent, and are willing to participate in multi-institutional clinical trials on cidofovir uses, efficacy, and safety. CONCLUSIONS: Eighteen statements were approved by the RRP Task Force after discussion of the survey results. Intralesional cidofovir may be initiated if surgical debulking is required every 2 to 3 months. The concept of an adjuvant regimen with regular biopsy is favored. Administration should remain below established safe limits of dosing (3 mg/kg) and volume. Informed consent, including discussion of off-label use and acute kidney injury in children, is important. A special consent form sample is included. There remains a need for high-quality data.

One-stage vs. two-stage BAHA implantation in a pediatric population.

OBJECTIVES: BAHA implantation surgery in a pediatric population is usually done in two-stage surgeries. This study aims to evaluate the safety and possible superiority of the one-stage over the two-stage BAHA implantation and which one would be the best standard of care for our pediatric patients. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 55 patients operated in our tertiary care institutions between 2005 and 2010 was conducted. The actual tendency in our institutions, applied at the time of the study, is to perform a one-stage surgery for all operated patients (pediatric and adult), except for patients undergoing translabyrinthine surgeries for cerebellopontine tumor excision. These patients indeed had a two-stage insertion. 26 patients underwent one-stage surgery (group I) while 29 patients had a two-stage (group II) BAHA insertion. A period of 4 months was allowed for osseointegration before BAHA processor fitting. As for the safety assessment of the one-stage surgery, we compared both groups regarding the incidence and severity (minor, moderate and major) of encountered complications, as well as the operating time and follow-up. The operating time of the two-stage surgery includes the time of the first and of the second stage. RESULTS: The mean age at surgery was 8.5 years old for the group I and 50 years old for the group II patients. There was no difference in the incidence of minor (p=0.12), moderate (p=0.41) nor severe (p=0.68) complications between groups I and II. Two cases of traumatic extrusion were noted in the group I. Furthermore, the one-stage BAHA implantation requests a significantly lower operating time (mean: 54 [32-100] min) than the two-stage surgery (mean: 79 [63-148] min) (p=0.012). All pediatric cases of BAHA insertion were performed in a one day surgery. The mean postoperative follow-up was 114 and 96 weeks for groups I and II respectively (p=0.058). CONCLUSIONS: One-stage BAHA insertion surgery in the pediatric population is a reliable, safe and efficient therapeutic option that allows a good result in a significantly lower operating time compared to the two-stage insertion and is achieved in a one day surgery. It could therefore be considered as a standard of care for pediatric patients.

Questioning the legitimacy of rigid bronchoscopy as a tool for establishing the diagnosis of a bronchial foreign body.

OBJECTIVES: Rigid bronchoscopy (RB) is the principal method used for the extraction of a tracheo-bronchial foreign body (FB), but its use as a diagnostic tool implies a certain rate of negative exams, exposing the child to the risk of procedure and anesthesia-related complications. Technological progress has improved the accuracy and availability of non-invasive modalities, such as CT scan and fluoroscopy. Our aim is to review our experience in the routine use of bronchoscopy for a suspected FB aspiration, and evaluate the adequacy of our current attitude in light of these alternatives. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of cases where bronchoscopy was used in the management of a suspected airway FB, and analysis of the correlation between the clinical and radiological data and the bronchoscopy's results. In addition we reviewed the literature concerning the use of RB and alternative means of diagnosis such as CT scan, fluoroscopy and flexible bronchoscopy. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients underwent bronchoscopy to rule out a FB aspiration under general anesthesia. No FB was found in 8 cases (25%). Cough and a history of choking were the most sensitive parameters (sensitivity 100% and 80% respectively), but had a low specificity. Stridor was the most specific sign (88% specificity), but was not sensitive. Chest radiography had 25% sensitivity, and 62.5% specificity. Flexible bronchoscopy changed the management in 22% of cases, sparing RB. CONCLUSIONS: Basing the decision to perform RB solely on the clinical findings and chest radiography entails a 25% rate or more of negative exams. CT scan appears to be the most accurate non-invasive tool for ruling out the presence of a FB but its use cannot be systematic due to its complexity and the risks of exposure to radiation. Digital substraction fluoroscopy is a safe and simple mean to confirm the presence of air trapping generated by a bronchial obstruction, but it is not sensitive enough to definitively rule out a FB. We propose a stepwise approach using fluoroscopy or possibly flexible bronchoscopy under sedation, in order to reduce the number of negative RBs while restricting the use of the CT scan.

Advantages of hyaluronic acid fat graft myringoplasty over fat graft myringoplasty.

OBJECTIVES: To compare hyaluronic acid fat graft myringoplasty (HAFGM) with fat graft myringoplasty (FGM) on grade I tympanic membrane perforations (TMPs) (<25% of the tympanic membrane surface) and to assess 12-month postoperative hearing outcomes in a pediatric population. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Tertiary care pediatric center. PATIENTS Ninety-two children with a TMP were included in the study and were operated on using either the HAFGM (n = 50) or FGM (n = 42) technique. Age at surgery ranged from 4 to 17 years (mean age, 11.52 years). INTERVENTIONS: Hyaluronic acid fat graft myringoplasty is a new technique for TMP repair in a pediatric population and is performed using local anesthesia at the outpatient office. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postoperative status of the tympanic membrane, hearing improvement, and incidence of complications. RESULTS: Successful closure of the tympanic membrane was achieved in 90% of the HAFGM group and in 57.1% of the FGM group (P = .004). The mean (SD) postoperative air-bone gap in the HAFGM (6.86 [8.52] dB) group was significantly lower than in the FGM (18.32 [13.44] dB) group (P < .002). The mean postoperative follow-up time was 31.5 and 34.7 months for HAFGM and FGM groups, respectively. No difference was observed between children 10 years or younger and children older than 10 years. In the 2 groups, no postoperative complications were observed. The location of the perforation was not found to be a factor indicative of failure. CONCLUSIONS: The success rate of HAFGM is superior to that of FGM alone. Hyaluronic acid fat graft myringoplasty can be performed as an office-based procedure using local anesthesia and requires no hospitalization. Because of its substantial advantages, HAFGM could be considered as the first choice for the reconstruction of a dry TMP in the pediatric population.