Adjunctive Serum Drops to Paper Patch for Tympanic Membrane Perforation.

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Chronic tympanic membrane (TM) perforations often fail to heal with standard treatments.
• Paper patch myringoplasty is a common initial approach, but success rates can be limited in persistent cases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the efficacy of autologous serum drops combined with secondary paper patch myringoplasty for TM perforation closure.
• To evaluate this combined approach in patients with a history of failed primary patching.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective chart review of 81 patients with chronic TM perforations.
• Comparison of an experimental group (serum drops + paper patch) versus a control group (paper patch alone).
• Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression to determine time-to-closure and influencing factors.

Main Results:

• Significantly higher closure rates in the experimental group (54.5%) vs. control (21.6%; P=.002).
• Autologous serum drops enhanced healing outcomes, even in previously unresponsive perforations.
• Smaller and posterior perforations demonstrated better closure rates; no adverse effects reported.

Conclusions:

• Autologous serum drops combined with paper patch myringoplasty represent a safe and effective non-surgical option for chronic TM perforations.
• This approach offers improved healing rates compared to patching alone.
• Further research with larger cohorts and extended follow-up is recommended.