Endoscopic transcanal myringoplasty for tympanic perforations: An outpatient minimally invasive procedure

Since the 1950s, microscopic myringoplasty has been the standard surgery for repairing a perforated tympanic membrane. In addition to conventional microscopic myringoplasty, endoscopic myringoplasty has been an emerging technique since the late 1990s. This study evaluated the efficacy of endoscopic transcanal myringoplasty for repairing tympanic perforations and examined the minimally invasive feature of this technique (no postauricular incision, no canalplasty).

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent endoscopic transcanal myringoplasty for perforations of the tympanic membrane. The main outcome was the overall rate of graft success of endoscopic transcanal myringoplasty.

A total of 181 patients were included in the analysis. The overall graft success was determined in 163 of 181 patients (92.8%). The mean preoperative and postoperative air-bone gaps were 19.3dB and 7.8dB, respectively, revealing a significant improvement of 11.5dB (Cohen's d, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.03-1.50; P<0.05; paired t test) in the air-bone gap. The rate of graft success with partial visualization of the perforation margin was comparable to that with complete visualization of the perforation margin. Larger sizes of perforations were significantly associated with lower rates of graft success (P<0.01).

Our study revealed that the rate of graft success and hearing results of endoscopic transcanal myringoplasty and microscopic myringoplasty are comparable for repairing perforations of the tympanic membrane. Visualization of the perforation margin by otoscopy did not affect the rate of graft success. However, endoscopic transcanal myringoplasty is less invasive because this technique does not require postauricular incision, canalplasty, and general anesthesia.