Fat graft myringoplasty in children--a safe and successful day-stay procedure.

The surgical closure of dry tympanic membrane perforations in children remains a controversial issue due to conflicting opinions on the appropriate technique, graft material and success rate. We present a review of 342 children who underwent fat graft myringoplasty as a day-stay procedure over a six-year period. Successful closure of the tympanic membrane perforation was achieved in 92 per cent of ears. Subsequent recurrent otitis media with effusion required insertion of ventilation tubes in 12 per cent. No relationship was observed between the age of the child and a successful outcome. We conclude that day-stay fat graft myringoplasty is a safe and successful procedure which results in a dry and safe ear in the majority of children.