Simple underlay myringoplasty.

OBJECTIVE

To introduce simple underlay myringoplasty which is widely performed in Japan.

PATIENTS

391 ears with perforated eardrum underwent simple underlay myringoplasty from 2000 to 2004, and which were followed up for more than six months after surgery.

METHODS

After removing the margin of the perforation by a transcanal approach under local anaesthesia, a connective tissue graft was inserted through the perforation and lifted to contact the edge. Fibrin glue was dropped on the contact area. There was no packing in the canal or in the middle-ear cavity. If the perforation remained, re-closure was attempted using the patient's frozen tissue.

RESULTS

The rate of closure after the initial attempt was 304/391 (77.7 per cent), and that after re-closure for unsuccessful cases was 70/87 (80.5 per cent). The overall rate was 374/391 (95.7 per cent). There were no serious complications such as sensorineural hearing loss.

CONCLUSIONS

Simple underlay myringoplasty is a simple and minimally invasive procedure employing fibrin glue and has led to a high closure rate of the eardrum.