Inlay butterfly miringoplasty. Our experience.

INTRODUCTION

Multiple surgical techniques have been proposed to close tympanic perforations. Eavey, two decades ago, described a technique aimed at closing central perforations in children. For this, he designed a butterfly-shaped cartilage graft that was placed between the tympanic membrane in an inlay manner. This technique showed great effectiveness for the closure of perforations as well as low morbidity, rapidity and great economic difference.

METHODS

We performed a descriptive study of a series of cases analysing 32 interventions in children and adults with the modified Eavey technique, during the period from January 2012 to November 2016. We evaluated the surgical and audiometric functional results.

RESULTS

Surgical success was achieved in 93% of cases, including complete closures in 27 patients (84%) and 3 cases in which minimal asymptomatic dehiscences occurred. There was rejection of the graft and persistence of the perforation in only one case. No major surgical or postoperative complications associated with the procedure were described. The mean improvement in the audiometric gap was from 17dB preoperatively to 7dB after the intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

The modified Eavey technique is a low morbidity, cost-effective procedure with a technical facility that proves effective for the closure of tympanic perforations in adults and children.