Raising a mucosal flap vs. tympanomeatal flap to repair subtotal perforations

This study aimed to compare the graft success rate, hearing outcomes, operation time and complications between myringoplasty with raising of a mucosal flap (RMF) and raising of a tympanomeatal flap (RTF) for the repair of subtotal perforations.

Subtotal perforations were recruited and randomly allocated to either the RMF group or the RTF group. The graft success rate, hearing outcomes and complications were evaluated at 6 months post-operatively.

The mean operation time was 31.4 ± 2.8 minutes (range: 26-47) in the RMF group and 57.6 ± 0.9 minutes in the RTF group (p < 0.01). The graft success rate was 96.0 per cent in the RMF group and 88.9 per cent in the RTF group (p = 0.659).

Endoscopic myringoplasty with the RMF achieved similar graft success and hearing gain compared to the tympanomeatal flap technique for repairing subtotal perforations, but with significantly shorter operation time and minimal temporary hypogeusia.