[Sandwich-graft myringoplasty: the authors' personal technic and results]

The authors describe the anatomic and functional results obtained with a sandwich myringoplasty technique (MPL) employing an endaural approach. The suggested technique is a modified sandwich MPL by endaural approach with a reduced Shambaugh incision, a systematic profiling of the canal wall bulge and separation of the meatal and tympano-meatal flaps that are maintained pedunculated. The temporal fascia is inserted between the fibrous layer of the tympanic remnant and a single pedunculated tympano-meatal cutaneous flap replaced in the original location. The authors present 72 cases operated between January 1987 and December 1989 for perforations involving up to three quadrants. In 93.1% of the cases a complete and lasting resolution of the perforation was obtained. Of the 5 failures, 4 presented a perforation smaller than the original one. An average (250, 500, 1000 Hz) functional recovery of 14.1 dB was observed compared to an average pre-operatory gap of 21.6 dB. In 25% of the cases, average recovery was greater than 25 dB and in 5 patients a slight worsening with an average difference of -3.3 dB was observed. On the whole, in 41 patients a residual post-operatory gap of only 10 dB was achieved. The anatomical results obtained with the MPL presented are similar to those found in the literature describing the classical overlay technique. However, the cases reported do not present those inconveniences associated to the latter technique (lateralization of the graft and blunting). The anatomic and functional results obtained with the technique discussed are on the whole superior to those described with the underlay and the classical overlay techniques. The Authors believe that this is mainly due to the absence of the gelfoam in the middle ear and to the double contention and vascularization of the temporal fascia graft. By means of the profiling of the canal wall the endaural approach permits a good view of the operating field. Furthermore, it is less traumatic and more acceptable to the patient than the postauricular one that has to be limited to the MPL where there are clinical indications for the exploration of antrum. The personal technique here presented implies, however, a certain presence of epithelial pearls. Their localization is nevertheless facilitated by the absence of blunting, thickening and lateralization of the graft. This allows for an early and easy removal on an out-patient basis. Other inconveniences of the technique are the length of the procedure and a more difficult control of the ossicular chain.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)