Ten-year myringoplasty series: does the cause of perforation affect the success rate?

To present the results of primary myringoplasty procedures together with the perforation cause, perforation size and site, surgeon's experience, and surgical method, and to investigate how these factors relate to graft 'take' rates.

Retrospective chart review of 243 consecutive patients undergoing primary myringoplasty with temporalis fascia underlay over a 10-year period from 1994 to 2004.

The overall graft take rate was 95 per cent. The retroauricular approach resulted in a 97 per cent graft take rate, whereas a significantly lower rate (77 per cent) was seen for surgery conducted via the endaural approach, or via an ear speculum. There was no relationship between other factors and tympanic membrane healing.

No association was found between perforation cause and graft take rate. The underlay technique is safe and reliable, and the retroauricular approach is preferable as it enables good surgical access and has better results.