A Comparative Study: Platelet-Rich Fibrin Packing as an Alternative to the Absorbable Gelatine in Tympanoplasty

We aimed to investigate platelet-rich fibrin's potential role as packing material in both the middle ear and external auditory canal.

Twenty-nine patients undergoing transcanal endoscopic type 1 cartilage tympanoplasty were included in this controlled prospective clinical study. Patients were randomly assigned to platelet-rich fibrin (n=14) or absorbable gelatine (n=15) groups. Preoperative and postoperative pure-tone audiometry results, graft healing rates, tympanometry values, and Glasgow Benefit Inventory scores were compared.

No significant postoperative complications were observed and the graft intake rate was 100% in both groups. Mean air-bone gap gain was 9.82 ± 4 dB HL in the postoperative first month and 10.08 ± 4.91 dB HL in the sixth postoperative month in the platelet-rich fibrin group. There was no statistically significant difference between the postoperative air-bone gap gains of the groups in the first (P=.537) and sixth month (P=.723) controls. There was no statistically significant difference in compliance (P = .453) between groups. The physical benefit scores of the Glasgow Benefit Inventory were significantly higher in the platelet-rich fibrin group (P=.01). There was no difference in general and social benefit scores (P > .05).

As a middle and external auditory canal packing agent, platelet-rich fibrin was as successful as absorbable gelatine in transcanal endoscopic cartilage tympanoplasty with similar functional results and graft healing rate.