Abstract:

Objective      To evaluate the application of the inlay graft technique in myringoplasty. Methods      107 patients(111 ears) with dry central moderate or small drum perforations enrolled from March 2002 to December 2009 were divided into 3 groups for myringoplasty: 42 patients(44 ears) in the fat  plug myringoplasty group, 32 patients(32 ears) in the inlay butterfly cartilage tympanoplasty group, and 33 patients(35 ears)  in the underlay tympanoplasty group(control group). All the patients were treated by transmeatal approach under an oto-endoscope. Results       After a mean follow-up of 6 months, the graft acceptance rate in these three groups was 90.9%, 93.8%, and 91.4%, respectively. There was no significant difference among the three graft acceptance rates (P>0.05). There were also no significant differences in the mean air-conduct threshold (more than 10 dB) and the mean airbone gap (more than 10 dB) in these three groups (P>0.05). For  healed tympanic membranes, no recurrent defects were observed both in the fat  plug myringoplasty group and the inlay butterfly cartilage tympanoplasty group, but 2 recurrent defects happened in the control group after 12-38 months follow-up. Conclusion       Fat plug myringoplasty and inlay butterfly cartilage myringoplasty，using an oto-endoscope, are  reliable  and  minimally invasive technique for treatment of moderate or small size perforation with high success rates.

Key words: Surgery；  Ear；  Myringoplasty