Collagen Allografts Compared With Autologous Tissue in Tympanoplasty

A Study on the Outcome of Myringoplasty in Small to Medium Sized Perforations Using Collagen Sheet as Graft Material

Chronic Otitis Media is a global health problem causing significant morbidity of life. Various medical and surgical treatment modalities are being used for the treatment of Chronic Otitis Media. Surgical treatment is the definitive option which includes different surgical procedures, all of which have been designed to attain the same goals of eradicating disease and achieve a safe and dry ear with closure of tympanic membrane perforations. Various graft materials are being used for the closure of tympanic membrane perforations like autografts, isografts, allografts and xenografts, each having its own advantages and limitations. The trend towards increasingly less invasive medical procedures, with shorter hospitalisation stay has led to demand for materials to replace autologous grafts, one such material being the collagen. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcome of myringoplasty in small to medium sized perforations using collagen sheet as the graft material. In the period from November 2018 to May 2020, 50 patients after fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria were taken up for myringoplasty. They underwent myringoplasty using transcanal approach and collagen sheet was used to close the tympanic membrane perforation. Post-operatively, patients were treated with antibiotics and regularly followed up. Otoendoscopy was done at the end of 1st month and 3rd month. At the end of 3 months, patients were evaluated for graft uptake and pure tone audiometry repeated to evaluate the post-operative hearing gain. In this study, we examined a total of 50 patients with 25 males and 25 females (50%). The mean age of our patients was 29.42 years, ranging from 18 to 60 years; with almost 66% between 21 and 40 years. Treatment was considered successful if there was complete closure of tympanic membrane perforations. Of the 50 patients that were included; graft uptake was noted in 46 patients i.e. in 92%, closure was achieved at the end of 3 months. Four failures in our study were due to infections. In this study, the graft uptake following myringoplasty was analyzed with statistically significant objective parameters like age, gender, size of perforation, laterality of disease, etiology of CSOM that affect the success of tympanoplasty. It was observed that small sized perforations had more chances of graft uptake. Post-operative hearing outcomes were also evaluated and was found to be statistically significant. Collagen sheet provided promising results as a graft material for myringoplasty and the graft uptake rates were comparable to the success rates of other conventional autologous grafts. Post operatively, significant improvement in hearing was also noted.

Tympanoplasty in the Setting of Complex Middle Ear Pathology: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prognostic factors for anatomic and hearing success after tympanoplasty in the setting of complex middle ear pathology.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed in January 2022. English-language articles describing outcome data for tympanoplasty repair variables including underlying pathology, perforation location, smoking status, graft technique, reconstruction material, anatomic success, and hearing success were extracted. Articles were included when tympanosclerosis, retraction pockets, adhesions, cholesteatoma, chronic suppurative otitis media, anterior perforations, and smoking were included. Underlying pathology, perforation location, smoking status, graft technique, reconstruction material, anatomic success, and hearing success were extracted. Any factors analyzed as potential indicators of success were sought out.

RESULTS

Data sources included PubMed, OVID, Cochrane, Web of Science, Scopus, and manual search of bibliographies. Ninety-three articles met final criteria, which accounted for 6685 patients. Fifty articles presented data on both anatomic and hearing outcomes, 32 articles presented data on anatomic outcomes only, and 11 articles presented data on hearing outcomes only. This systematic review found that adhesions and tympanosclerosis were prognostic factors for poorer hearing. Additionally, smoking and tympanosclerosis may be predictive of anatomic failure; however, the significance of this finding was mixed in included studies. This analysis is significantly limited by both the heterogeneity within the patients and the lack of controls.

CONCLUSION

Adhesions and tympanosclerosis were prognostic factors for poorer hearing. Clearly documented methods and outcomes for the included pathologies could lead to more definitive conclusions regarding prognostic factors for success.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3B.

Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine strategies for the repair of tympanic membrane perforations

Despite the high success rate of autologous grafts in tympanic membrane repair, clinical alternatives are required for the closure of unresponsive chronic perforations that can lead to recurring infection and hearing loss. Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine approaches have emerged as another strategy to repair the eardrum, in addition to negating the need for donor tissue harvest and related surgical iatrogenicities. This review highlights the main approaches using biomaterials, growth factors, and cell therapies towards the healing of complex TM perforations. In addition, we discuss the challenges and advances for the development of reliable animal models, which will allow the optimisation and development of novel techniques. Finally, we indicate technologies that are currently used clinically and others that are closer to the market. The advances here discussed on tissue engineering and regenerative medicine strategies applied to the field of TM perforations will allow otologists, surgeons, and researchers to better bring novel technologies to the bedside as well as to develop new ones.

Pediatric Primary Tympanoplasty Outcomes With Autologous and Non-autologous Grafts

OBJECTIVE

To compare rates of successful tympanic membrane (TM) closure in primary pediatric tympanoplasty between various autologous and non-autologous tissues.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed examining all primary pediatric tympanoplasties over a 20-year period at a single institution.

RESULTS

In 564 pediatric tympanoplasties, no statistically significant difference existed between success rates of autologous and non-autologous grafts (p = 0.083). Compared with fascia, the hazard ratios (and 95% confidence intervals [CI]) for failure for each graft were as follows: human pericardial collagen (HR 0.90, CI 0.54-1.50, p = 0.680), porcine submucosal collagen (HR 1.07, CI 0.56-2.05, p = 0.830), human acellular dermal collagen (HR 1.66, CI 0.95-2.87, p = 0.073), and "multiple grafts" (HR 0.72, CI 0.26-1.98, p = 0.520). Survival curves demonstrated that 75% of graft failures occurred by 6 months after surgery, the rest occurring between 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Larger perforations encompassing more than or equal to 50% of the TM had lower success rates (HR 1.50, CI 1.02-2.21, p = 0.041) than smaller perforations encompassing less than 50% of the TM. Age was not correlated with success (HR 0.98, CI 0.93-1.03, p = 0.390).

CONCLUSION

This study found that non-autologous collagen grafts provide equivalent rates of healing when compared with autologous tissue in primary pediatric tympanoplasty. In addition to the potential for reduced operative time and donor site morbidity, these materials provide a viable graft alternative in fascia-depleted ears.Level of Evidence: Level 4.

Tympanoplasty Before Tympanoplasty: Alea Jacta Erat!

OBJECTIVES

Tympanoplasty is the most common ear surgery performed throughout the world. As its basic principles remain the same since its introduction, many publications usually explain, in the introduction, that tympanoplasty has been a successful technique since the 1950s. The aim of this historical notice is to go back to the origin of the word tympanoplasty, and its final introduction as a specific defined surgical concept.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Historical study based solely on original publications in different languages.

RESULTS

The term tympanoplasty was first used by Hirch in 1912 for an operation for chronic adhesive catarrh of the middle ear. It was revived by Wullstein in 1952. One Polish, Miodonski, and three German otologists played an important role in the development of the actual concept and definition of tympanoplasty: Moritz, Zöllner and Wullstein, the two latter being recognized as worldwide dispensers of the technique.

CONCLUSION

The history of the term tympanoplasty can be divided into two periods: the first being 1912 to 1913 with its first use for an operation to treat chronic adhesive catarrh of the middle ear, and the second 1952 to 1955, with its revival and definitive implementation in the surgery of the ear based on the concept of protection of the round window and construction of an effective sound-transmitter system through the oval window. Nevertheless, the concept of tympanoplasty was already established in 1950 but not surgically definitively implemented: alea jacta erat-the die was cast!

Over-under cartilage tympanoplasty: technique, results and a call for improved reporting

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to describe the microscopic over-under cartilage tympanoplasty technique, provide hearing results and detail clinically significant complications.

METHOD

This was a retrospective case series chart review study of over-under cartilage tympanoplasty procedures performed by the senior author between January 2015 and January 2019 at three tertiary care centres. Cases were excluded for previous or intra-operative cholesteatoma, if a mastoidectomy was performed during the procedure or if ossiculoplasty was performed. Hearing results and complications were obtained.

RESULTS

Sixty-eight tympanoplasty procedures met the inclusion criteria. The median age was 13 years (range, 3-71 years). The mean improvement in pure tone average was 6 dB (95 per cent confidence interval 4-9 dB; p < 0.0001). The overall perforation closure rate was 97 per cent (n = 66). Revision surgery was recommended for a total of 6 cases (9 per cent) including 2 post-operative perforations, 1 case of middle-ear cholesteatoma and 3 cases of external auditory canal scarring.

CONCLUSION

Over-under cartilage tympanoplasty is effective at improving clinically meaningful hearing with a low rate of post-operative complications.