Use of Endoscopic Cartilage Graft Myringoplasty Without Tympanomeatal Flap Elevation to Repair Posterior Marginal Perforations

Abstract

Objective: We evaluated the graft success rate and hearing outcomes of endoscopic cartilage graft myringoplasty without tympanomeatal flap elevation used to repair posterior marginal perforations.

Study design: A prospective case series.

Materials and methods: A total of 31 patients with posterior marginal perforations who underwent endoscopic cartilage graft myringoplasty were included. The outcomes were the hearing gain and graft success rate at 6 and 24 months.

Results: The graft success rate was 96.7% (30/31) at 6 months and 90.3% (28/31) at 24 months; 1 patient exhibited composite graft extrusion and lateralization in the region of the anterior annulus; a residual perforation was apparent. Reperforation occurred in 2 patients. The mean preoperative air-bone gap (ABG; 28.61 ± 3.14 dB) was significantly greater than the mean postoperative ABG (12.15 ± 3.98 dB; P < .05) at 6 months; however, there was no statistically significant difference between the post-6 months and post-24 months with regard to ABG values (P = .871), ABG gain (P = 0.648), or functional success rate (P = .472). No significant graft blunting or atelectasis was noted during follow-up. The free perichondrium became fully integrated with the skin of the external auditory canal; the perichondrium could not be clearly distinguished endoscopically 4 to 8 weeks postoperatively. Computed tomography revealed well-pneumatized middle ear and mastoid cavity at postoperative 24 months.

Conclusion: Endoscopic cartilage graft myringoplasty without tympanomeatal flap elevation reliably repairs posterior marginal perforations. The short- and long-term graft success rate is high, and the hearing results are satisfactory; the technique is minimally invasive.

Keywords: cartilage graft; endoscopy; myringoplasty; push-through technique.