Fat plug myringoplasty: Analysis of a safe procedure for small tympanic perforations

Abstract

Objective: Assessment of value of fat plug myringoplasty as office-based procedure in small tympanic membrane perforations. Material and Methods: Prospective study of consecutive patients undergoing fat plug myringoplasty under local anesthesia. Minimum follow-up considered was 6 months, which included several microscopic examinations. All data were recorded and analyzed statistically. Results: 33 patients matched the inclusion criteria; the mean perforation size was 2.8 mm. No change in PTA was noted after surgery in the whole series. Recurrence of perforation was detected in 7 cases (21%), which was statistically related with the cause of perforation rather than location or size (p-value <0.01). Conclusions: Fat plug myringoplasty is a safe procedure with very low rate of complications, and it is an office-based procedure well tolerate by all patients. Results in case of primary surgery are excellent, with a high success rate (90%). In case of recurrent perforation after traditional surgery, success rate get decreased.