The outcomes of endoscopic myringoplasty: elevating a tympanomeatal flap or not.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare the differences between the no tympanomeatal flap approach and the tympanomeatal flap approach in endoscopic myringoplasty.

METHOD: A total of 132 patients with tympanic membrane perforation were randomly divided into two groups: the no tympanomeatal flap approach group (group A, 56 ears) and the tympanomeatal flap approach group (group B, 76 ears). A comparison between the two groups was made.

RESULTS

The average operation time of group A was 36.00 ± 5.24 minutes, which was significantly shorter than that of group B, which was 43.89 ± 4.57 minutes (p = 0.002). The blood loss of group A was 5.08 ± 1.83 ml, which was significantly less than that of group B (9.67 ± 2.29 ml; p < 0.001). There were no differences in the degree of hearing improvement, the rate of hearing improvement, the dry ear time (when the external auditory canal and the operating cavity were dry) after operation and the success rate of tympanic membrane repair when compared between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Compared with group B, group A (no tympanomeatal flap approach) can achieve the same effect but has the advantages of a shorter operation time and less blood loss during the operation.