Fat-plug and paper-patch myringoplasty in rats.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to investigate the recovery rate in paper-patch and fat-plug myringoplasty in rats.

METHOD: Small and large perforations were inflicted on the tympanic membranes of 60 rats. Fat-plug and paper-patch myringoplasties were performed to different groups and another group was left for spontaneous healing.

RESULTS

We found that for small perforations, the recovery rate was 94.7% in fat-plug myringoplasty, 94.4% in paper-patch myringoplasty, and 66.6% in control group. The recovery rates in large perforations were 52.9%, 56.2%, and 26.6%, respectively. On the other hand, in larger perforations, paper-patch or fat-plug myringoplasty have not been found effective.

CONCLUSION

We believe that due to significant operational advantages, fat-plug or paper-patch myringoplasty can be suggested for the reconstruction of small and dry perforations of the tympanic membrane.