Improving Tympanoplasty: Transverse External Auditory Canal Flap Advancement

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Surgical Innovation
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Large tympanic membrane perforations, especially those lacking anterior residual edges, present a surgical challenge in tympanoplasty.
• Conventional endoscopic tympanoplasty may have limitations in achieving optimal closure and hearing restoration for such defects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical outcomes of a newly developed external auditory canal flap advancement technique for tympanoplasty.
• To compare the efficacy of this novel method against conventional endoscopic tympanoplasty in patients with large anterior tympanic membrane perforations.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 30 patients (50 ears) with large anterior tympanic membrane perforations without residual edges were enrolled.
• The experimental group (26 patients) underwent endoscopic transverse external auditory canal skin flap repair, while the control group (24 patients) received conventional endoscopic tympanoplasty.
• Outcomes including hearing levels, postoperative pain, and tympanic membrane healing were assessed pre- and post-surgery.

Main Results:

• The novel flap advancement technique demonstrated a high tympanic membrane repair success rate of 96.15% (25/26) in the experimental group.
• Significant improvements in hearing levels were observed in patients treated with the new method.
• No significant differences were found in patient discharge time, postoperative pain, or recovery duration between the groups.

Conclusions:

• Endoscopic transverse external auditory canal flap nudge repair is an effective complementary technique to conventional otoscopic tympanoplasty.
• This innovative approach offers a promising solution for challenging tympanic membrane perforations, improving repair success and hearing outcomes.
• The technique warrants wider adoption in clinical practice for managing large tympanic membrane perforations.