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

Underlay Myringoplasty Versus Overlay Myringoplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Myringoplasty is still the most performed otological surgery. Nevertheless, the underlay vs. overlay approaches have yet to be determined. The purpose of this study is to compare the surgical and audiological outcomes of underlay and overlay myringoplasty in perforated tympanic membrane patients. A systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizing randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which were retrieved by systematically searching of Web of Science, SCOPUS, PubMed, and Google Scholar until January 25th, 2023. RevMan version 5.4 software was used to pooled dichotomous outcomes using the risk ratio (RR) with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). We registered our protocol in PROSPERO with ID: [CRD42023387432]. We included eight RCTs with 656 tympanic perforation membrane patients. Four RCTs had a low risk of overall bias, two had some concerns, and two had a high risk of bias. The underlay technique was significantly associated with a higher surgical success rate (n = 7 RCTs, RR: 1.21 with 95% CI [1.02, 1.43],  P = 0.03) and audiological success rate (n = 4 RCTs, RR: 1.31 with 95% CI [1.18, 1.44], P < 0.00001). This meta-analysis underscores the potential superiority of the underlay technique in managing tympanic membrane perforations, with significant implications for surgical and audiological outcomes. However, more investigations are still necessary to confirm this result.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12070-023-04425-6.

Cartilaginous Myringoplasty: Anatomical and Functional Results

INTRODUCTION

 Myringoplasty remains a topical subject. Our study aims at analyzing the anatomical and functional results of cartilaginous myringoplasty, and also determining the main factors that could influence its results.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

 A retrospective study of 51 cases of tympanic perforations operated at the ENT department of the Hassan II University Hospital of Fez between January 2018 and November 2021. Only the patients with exclusive cartilage myringoplasty were included. The anatomical and functional results of cartilage myringoplasty were evaluated and analyzed according to several variables. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Statistics software.

RESULTS

 The average age of our patients was 35, with a sex ratio of 2.45. The perforation was anterior in 58%, posterior in 12%, and central in 30% of the cases. The average pre-operative audiometric air bone gap (ABG) was 29.3 dB. The most commonly used graft was the conchal cartilage in 89% of cases. A complete cicatrization has been noticed in 92%, and at six months after surgery, a complete closure of the ABG has been observed in 43% of cases, a significant hearing improvement with an ABG between 11 and 20 dB in 24%, a hearing recovery with an ABG between 21 and 30 dB in 21%, and an ABG > 30 dB in 12% of the cases. A statically significant relationship (p<0.05) has been found between the functional or anatomical failure of the myringoplasty; the different predictive factors were: the young age (less than 16 years), the inflammatory state of the tympanic cavity, the anterior location, and large size of the perforation.

CONCLUSION

Cartilaginous myringoplasty provides good anatomical and auditory results. The pre-operative predictive factors, such as age, complete and sufficient drying of the ear, the size and location of the perforation, and the size of the used cartilage, should all be considered for a better anatomical and functional outcome.

Comparison between endoscopic and microscopic butterfly cartilage graft inlay tympanoplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of endoscopic and microscopic approaches for butterfly cartilage graft inlay tympanoplasty regarding anatomical and hearing outcomes through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

A search of PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, and Virtual Health Library was performed from inception to July 3rd, 2021, using keywords, such as tympanoplasty, cartilage graft, and inlay technique. Data from articles that met inclusion criteria were extracted by two authors independently. The PRISMA statement was followed. RoB-2 and ROBINS-I tools were used to assess risk of bias. The primary outcome was tympanic membrane closure rate. The secondary outcome was improvement of the air-bone gap.

RESULTS

Five studies were included, one randomized clinical trial and four retrospective cohorts, in which a total of 318 patients were included. Graft take rate was 91.3% in the endoscopic group and 93.6% in the microscopic group (RR 0.98; 95% CI 0.93-1.03; I² 0%; P = 0.68). Four studies provided data about the secondary outcome, all showing significant reductions in air-bone gap, ranging from 5.7 to 11.0 in the endoscope group and from 5.8 to 11.6 in the microscope group, with a mean difference between groups of 0.85 (95% CI - 0.79 to 2.48).

CONCLUSION

Although the overall evidence of the included studies was low, endoscopic and microscopic butterfly cartilage graft inlay tympanoplasties have similar results on anatomical and hearing outcomes, making the selection between such approaches an individual choice for the surgeon.

Modified inlay butterfly cartilage myringoplasty: An outpatient minimally invasive procedure for closure of central perforation-graft success rate and hearing outcome

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this was to evaluate anatomical and hearing results of modified inlay butterfly perichondrium-cartilage myringoplasty for repairing central perforation in an office setting.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We performed a prospective study in 81 patients with chronic central perforations who underwent modified inlay butterfly perichondrium-cartilage myringoplasty in an office setting. The graft success rate, hearing outcome, and complications were evaluated at postoperative 3, 6 and 24 months.

RESULTS

81 patients with 81chronic perforations were included in this study. The graft success rate was 100.0% (81/81) at postoperative 3 months. At postoperative 24 months, 16 patients lost follow-up, the graft success rate was 98.5% (64/65). The mean preoperative ABG was 23.0 ± 2.6 dB, while the mean postoperative ABG postoperatively 12 months was 11.4 ± 3.1 dB; the difference between these values was significant (P < .05). No graft-related complications (e.g., graft lateralization, graft medialization, graft keratin pearl, middle ear cholesteatoma) were encountered during the follow-up period. In addition, excess perichondrium lateral to the superficial layer of TM remnant became necrotic and crust at postoperative 2-3 months. However, graft keratin pearl and intra-tympanic cholesteatoma/epithelial inclusion cyst weren't found in any patients at postoperative 24 months. Granular myringitis with minimal moistness but without infection has been noted in 6 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Modified inlay butterfly perichondrium-cartilage myringoplasty is a viable and less invasive option for closure of central perforations in an office setting because this technique does not require tympanomeatal flap elevation and general anesthesia.

Comparison of efficacy of endoscopic versus microscopic transcanal inlay butterfly cartilage myringoplasty

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Butterfly cartilage myringoplasty has been widely practiced over two decades due to its simplicity and feasibility. The present study is aimed to compare the efficacy of endoscopic versus microscopic transcanal inlay butterfly cartilage myringoplasty.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

In this randomised control trial, fifty patients with small to medium sized perforation were included. The first group underwent butterfly cartilage myringoplasty using endoscope and the second group using microscope and, outcomes were compared.

RESULTS

Graft success rates in the endoscopic group was 96% ± 4% and in the microscopic group was 92% ± 8%. The improvement in the Air-Bone Gap was 11.00 ± 7.21 dB in the endoscopic group and 10.8 ± 7.59 dB in the microscopic group. The difference was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall success rates and hearing outcomes were similar in the endoscopic and microscopic group with added advantages of less pain, shorter operative time and better field of vision in the endoscopic group.

The Pretragal Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System Fascia: A New Graft Material for Transcanal Tympanoplasty

OBJECTIVE

To compare outcomes of transcanal endoscopic tympanoplasty reconstructed using pretragal superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) fascia versus temporalis fascia.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective patient review and posttreatment questionnaire survey.

SETTING

Tertiary referral center.

PATIENTS

Sixty adult patients with chronic dry tympanic membrane perforation.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients underwent transcanal endoscopic type I tympanoplasty reconstructed using the SMAS fascia between September 2017 and May 2018; outcomes were compared with a matched cohort of patients where the temporalis fascia was used.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Tympanic membrane closure rate, audiogram threshold, duration of procedure, and donor site scar satisfaction survey.

RESULTS

Sixty patients were included in this study and were evenly divided into the SMAS and temporalis fascia groups. These cohorts were matched for age, sex, side of lesion, perforation size, and preoperative hearing level. The closure rate was 96.7% (29/30) and 93.3% (28/30) (p = 1.0), mean hearing gain was 8.3 ± 6.4 dB versus 8.2 ± 7.1 dB for air-conduction (p = 0.970) and 7.6 ± 5.1 dB versus 8.2 ± 6.8 dB for air-bone gap (p = 0.716), and mean surgical duration was 137.3 ± 23.0 versus 132.2 ± 27.3 minutes (p = 0.432) for the SMAS and temporalis fascia groups, respectively; there were no statistically significant differences for all the parameters listed. The posttreatment questionnaire survey revealed significantly higher acceptance of the SMAS fascia method.

CONCLUSION

This preliminary outcome report of SMAS fascia grafting in transcanal endoscopic type I tympanoplasty showed equivalent surgical outcomes and better cosmetic satisfaction compared with the temporalis fascia. The SMAS fascia is a reasonable alternative to conventional techniques for transcanal tympanoplasty.

Full-thickness cartilage graft myringoplasty combined with topical application of bFGF for repair of perforations with extensive epithelialization

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to evaluate the long term outcome of endoscope full-thickness cartilage graft myringoplasty combined with topical application of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) for repair of perforations with extensive epithelialization.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In total, 65 perforations with extensive epithelialization of edges were divided into the endoscope full-thickness cartilage graft myringoplasty with (bFGF treatment group) and without topical application of bFGF (control group) groups. The outcomes were evaluated in terms of the hearing gain and graft success rate at 12 and 24 months post-surgery.

RESULTS

All patients were followed up at 24 months. Graft success rate was 97.2% in postoperative 12th month and 97.2% in postoperative 24th month in the bFGF group, whereas graft success rate was 100.0% in postoperative 12th month and 86.2% in postoperative 24th month in the control group. The re-perforation wasn't evident in any patients in the bFGF group while re-perforation in 4 (13.8%) patients in the control group, with statistical significance (P = 0.023).Comparing the two groups, there was no difference regardless of in preoperative or postoperative 12 months mean ABG or ABG closure. CT images revealed the well pneumatized middle ear and mastoid cells at postoperative 24th months in both groups, no middle ear cholesteatoma and keratin pearls were found during the period of follow up.

CONCLUSIONS

The cartilage-perichondrium double graft combined with bFGF are a feasible and effective method for providing the long-term graft success rate of the perforations with extensive epithelialization.