Comparison of Medial Underlay and Lateral Underlay Endoscopic Type I Tympanoplasty for Anterior Perforations of the Tympanic Membrane

To detach or not to detach the umbo in type I tympanoplasty: functional results

PURPOSE

To compare the audiological outcomes, tympanic membrane (TM) healing rates and complication rates in patients undergoing endoscopic underlay and over-under tympanoplasty type I (TTI).

METHODS

The study includes 95 patients who underwent endoscopic TTI in the period between 2018 and 2023: 56% of the patients had the underlay technique and 41% had the over-under technique. Data regarding pre- and postoperative hearing, perforation characteristics, surgical procedures, graft types and complications were retrospectively analyzed. Audiometrical assessment included air conduction (AC) and bone conduction (BC) pure tone averages (PTA) and air-bone gap (ABG), pre- and postoperatively.

RESULTS

Both underlay and over-under techniques significant improved AC PTA, with a mean ABG improvements of 5.9 dB and 7.2 dB, respectively. There was no significant difference in BC PTA between pre- and post-operative, indicating no inner ear damage in both techniques. The over-under technique showed a significantly higher TM closure rate (94.4%) compared to the underlay technique (80.6%). Complications were rare, with only one case of TM lateralization requiring revision surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic TTI is an effective treatment in improving auditory function in chronic middle ear diseases. In our cohort, the detachment of the umbo does not negatively influence the postoperative hearing results and does not increase rate of complications. Moreover, the over-under technique demonstrates superior TM closure rates, making it a valuable option for specific cases. However, future prospective studies with larger sample sizes and longer term follow-up are needed to validate these findings and provide more comprehensive insights.

Endoscopic Perichondrium-Cartilage Myringoplasty With Preserving of Anterior Margins and Tuck Grafts for Repairing Anterior Perforation With 3 year Followup

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to evaluate the graft outcomes of endoscopic perichondrium-cartilage myringoplasty with preserving of anterior margins for repairing anterior perforation with 3 year followup.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective case series.

SETTING

Tertiary university hospital.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a prospective study in 47 patients with anterior perforation who underwent perichondrium-cartilage myringoplasty with preserving of anterior margins and tuck grafts. The operation time, graft success rate, hearing outcome, and complications were evaluated at 6 months and 3 years after surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 47 ears with anterior marginal perforation were included in the study. The perforation size was subtotal in 2 (4.3%) eras, large in 11 (23.4%) ears, medium in 27 (57.4%) ears, and small in 7 (14.9%). The mean operation time was 41.2 ± 5.4 minutes. All patients completed 6 months of follow-up. Residual perforation was observed in 2 patients with medium perforations, the graft success rate was 95.7% (45/47). The mean preoperative and postoperative AC PTAs were 38.1 ± 7.3 dB and 25.4 ± 4.6 dB (P < .05), while the mean preoperative and postoperative BC PTAs were 9.0 ± 4.6 dB and 9.6 ± 1.9 dB (P = .672). The functional success was 91.5% (43/47). None of the patients reported sensorineural hearing loss, altered taste, facial nerve palsy, vertigo, or tinnitus during the follow-up period. In addition, 34 (72.3%) patients completed 3 years followup and performed temporal bone CT examination, the mean followup time was 39.1 ± 2.7 months, CT revealed the well pneumatization of mastoids and middle ear.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic perichondrium-cartilage myringoplasty with preserving of anterior margins and tuck grafts is a safe, suitable, and reliable method for repair of anterior perforation with few risk of anterior blunting and lateralization.

Tympanoplasty in the Setting of Complex Middle Ear Pathology: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prognostic factors for anatomic and hearing success after tympanoplasty in the setting of complex middle ear pathology.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed in January 2022. English-language articles describing outcome data for tympanoplasty repair variables including underlying pathology, perforation location, smoking status, graft technique, reconstruction material, anatomic success, and hearing success were extracted. Articles were included when tympanosclerosis, retraction pockets, adhesions, cholesteatoma, chronic suppurative otitis media, anterior perforations, and smoking were included. Underlying pathology, perforation location, smoking status, graft technique, reconstruction material, anatomic success, and hearing success were extracted. Any factors analyzed as potential indicators of success were sought out.

RESULTS

Data sources included PubMed, OVID, Cochrane, Web of Science, Scopus, and manual search of bibliographies. Ninety-three articles met final criteria, which accounted for 6685 patients. Fifty articles presented data on both anatomic and hearing outcomes, 32 articles presented data on anatomic outcomes only, and 11 articles presented data on hearing outcomes only. This systematic review found that adhesions and tympanosclerosis were prognostic factors for poorer hearing. Additionally, smoking and tympanosclerosis may be predictive of anatomic failure; however, the significance of this finding was mixed in included studies. This analysis is significantly limited by both the heterogeneity within the patients and the lack of controls.

CONCLUSION

Adhesions and tympanosclerosis were prognostic factors for poorer hearing. Clearly documented methods and outcomes for the included pathologies could lead to more definitive conclusions regarding prognostic factors for success.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3B.

[Chronic mesotympanic Otitis media - Part 2: Surgical Therapy]

Chronic mesotympanal otitis media (CMOM) is a well-developed clinical presentation that is established in diagnostics and therapy. On closer inspection, however, this principle cannot be confirmed in all its facets. Already the physiology and pathophysiology of the middle ear mucosa leave questions unanswered, starting with the distribution of the ciliated epithelium in the middle ear and mastoid to the function of gas exchange.In addition, there are new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. In the future, optical coherence tomography could help to determine the status of the middle ear mucosa. In addition, there are new findings on the effectiveness of local and systemic antibiotics as well as antiseptics in chronic otorrhea. Other new developments include minimally invasive surgical procedures using endoscopic techniques. All this gives reason to provide an update on the topic of chronic mesotympanal otitis media, which should contribute in preparation for the specialist examination or refreshing.Basics of physiology and pathophysiology as well as new diagnostic approaches and medical treatment were covered in Part 1 of this paper. In Part 2, in addition to established methods, new developments in surgical therapy with minimally invasive surgical procedures are described in more detail.

Postoperative Outcomes After Tympanoplasty for Active Versus Inactive Otitis Media Patients With Tympanic Membrane Perforation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES

To compare postoperative tympanoplasty outcomes between active versus inactive otitis media (OM) patients with tympanic membrane perforation.

DATABASES REVIEWED

Medline via PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Google Scholar for studies published from inception to March 1, 2023.

METHODS

Studies of 15- to 60-year-old patients undergoing microscopic/endoscopic myringoplasty using underlay/overlay technique with reported postoperative mean hearing gain and graft uptake were included. Studies requiring simultaneous surgical procedures, reporting patients with comorbidities and with non-English full text articles were excluded. Articles were independently screened by two researchers with data extracted according to a predetermined proforma in Microsoft Excel. Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment was used for risk of bias evaluation of randomized studies and Risk of Bias in Nonrandomized Studies of Interventions for nonrandomized studies. Similar studies were pooled for meta-analysis using the inverse variance random effects model to calculate the mean difference and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) for mean hearing gain and DerSimonian and Laird random effects model for graft uptake.

RESULTS

Thirty-three studies comprising 2,373 patients met the inclusion/exclusion criteria, seven were pooled for meta-analysis. Included articles showed inactive OM patients have higher average postoperative mean hearing gain of 10.84 dB and graft uptake of 88.7% compared to active OM patients (9.15 dB and 84.2%). Meta-analysis of mean hearing gain (MD, -0.76 dB; 95% CI, -2.11 to 0.60; p = 0.27, moderate certainty) and graft uptake (OD, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.34-1.09; p = 0.10, moderate certainty) have an overall p value >0.05.

CONCLUSION

There were no statistically significant differences in postoperative mean hearing gain and graft uptake between active and inactive OM patients undergoing tympanoplasty. Hence, tympanoplasty procedures should not be postponed solely because of patients' preoperative ear discharge status.

Comparison of Cartilage Reinforcement and Push-Through Techniques for the Treatment of Large Perforations

Objective: To compare the graft success rate and hearing outcomes of endoscopic cartilage reinforcement perichondrium-cartilage composite graft and push-through techniques for the treatment of large marginal perforations. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial. Materials and Methods: A total of 57 large marginal perforations were prospectively randomized to cartilage reinforcement (n = 29) and cartilage push-through technique (n = 28) groups. The graft success rate, audiometric outcomes, and complications were compared between the 2 groups at 6 months. Results: All patients completed 6 months of follow-up. The graft success rate in the cartilage reinforcement group was significantly higher compared to that in the push-through group (100.0% vs 78.6%, P < .01). Residual perforation was observed in 5 (17.9%) patients, and re-perforation in 1 (3.6%) patient, in the push-through group. The preoperative air-bone gap (ABG) was 17.6 ± 3.5 dB in the cartilage reinforcement group and 16.8 ± 8.4 dB in the push-through group (P > .05). Postoperatively, although the postoperative ABG in the cartilage reinforcement group was higher than that in the push-through group, no significant difference was observed (11.8 ± 4.3 dB vs 8.9 ± 2.5 dB, P > .05). Additionally, no significant difference was found in ABG closure between the 2 groups (6.6 ± 1.9 dB vs 7.9 ± 4.7 dB, P > .05). Conclusion: Cartilage reinforcement myringoplasty is a simpler and more useful technique to achieve graft success compared to cartilage-perichondrium push-through for the treatment of large marginal perforations, and it does not affect hearing levels.

Endoscopic perichondrium-cartilage H type technique for repairing chronic kidney-shaped perforations with 3 years of follow-up

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to evaluate graft outcomes and complications of endoscopic perichondrium-cartilage H type technique for repairing chronic kidney-shaped perforation with 3 years of follow-up.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Adult patients with chronic kidney-shaped perforation underwent endoscopic perichondrium-cartilage H type technique. The graft outcomes and complications were evaluated at 36 months after surgery.

RESULTS

The total of 51 ears were included in this study. The mean operation time was 31.5 ± 4.1 min. Residual perforation was seen in 2 patients, the graft success rate was 96.1 % (49/51) at postoperative 12 months. Granular myringitis was noted in 8.2 % (4/49) patients in 49 patients with graft success. The mean preoperative ABG was 23.6 ± 3.7 dB, while the mean postoperative ABG postoperatively 12 months was 12.9 ± 5.2 dB (P < 0.05), the functional success rate was 94.1 % (48/51). At postoperative 36 months, only 32 (62.7 %, 32/51) patients were followed up, while 19 (37.3 %, 19/51) patients lost followup. Of the 32 patients with followup of 36 months, the mean follow-up time was 38.2 ± 7.1 (37-46) months, re-perforation was seen in one. All 32 patients performed the postoperative CT examination at last followup, CT revealed the well pneumatization of mastoids and middle ear.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic cartilage-perichondrium H type technique is an alternative method for repairing chronic kidney-shaped perforations, with a highly successful, short operation time, minimally invasive procedure, and no cholesteatoma.

Comparison of endoscopic underlay and over‐under tympanoplasty techniques for type I tympanoplasty

Objective

To compare the indications and efficacy of endoscopic over‐under tympanoplasty versus endoscopic underlay tympanoplasty.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing type I endoscopic tympanoplasty via either an underlay or over‐under technique by a single surgeon from 2017 to 2021. Patients were excluded if they had a concurrent mastoidectomy, ossiculoplasty, or advanced cholesteatoma defined by involvement of multiple subsites. Patient demographics, perforation size and location, middle ear status, preoperative and postoperative audiograms, and perforation closure were reviewed. Middle ear status was represented using the Ossiculoplasty Outcome Parameter Score (OOPS). The primary outcome was perforation closure at most recent follow‐up and secondary outcomes were change in postoperative pure‐tone average (PTA) and air‐bone gap (ABG).

Results

Of 48 patients, 27 underwent endoscopic underlay tympanoplasty and 21 underwent endoscopic over‐under tympanoplasty. Tragal cartilage‐perichondrium graft was used in 90% of procedures. Distribution of OOPS scores was not significantly different between groups. Over‐ under technique addressed significantly larger perforations (mean size of 54% vs. 31%, p < .001) and a higher rate of anterior extension (95% vs. 22%, p < .001) than underlay technique. Perforation closure rate was not different between groups (95% vs. 96%). Patients experienced significant improvement in PTA and ABG in both groups.

Conclusion

The endoscopic over‐under tympanoplasty is comparable to endoscopic underlay tympanoplasty in terms of graft take and audiologic improvement. The over‐under technique is effective for repairing larger perforations or those with anterior extension.

Level of evidence

IV

Endoscopic versus microscopic ossiculoplasty: Does the functional outcome vary according to the type of osciculoplasty?

OBJECTIVE

To compare functional outcome of microscopic and endoscopic approach regarding type of ossiculoplasty.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, cases who had undergone type-II and type-III tympanoplasty between February 2007 to September 2019 were divided into two groups according to the type of approach as microscopic and endoscopic. In cases with type-II reconstruction; Partial Ossicular chain Replacement Prosthesis (PORP), incus interposition and bone cement were used in order of frequency. Whereas in cases with type-III reconstruction, only Total Ossicular chain Replacement Prosthesis (TORP) was used. The average Air Bone Gap (ABG) was determined pre- and post-operatively for the calculation of Air Conductance Gain (ACG). The ACG, pre- and post-operative ABG values of each group were compared with regard to the type of ossiculoplasty.

RESULTS

A total of 79 cases consisting of 32 females and 47 males who had undergone type-II and type-III tympanoplasty were enrolled. No statistically significant difference between microscopic and endoscopic approach was found in terms of ACG (p = 0.42), pre-(p = 0.23) and postoperative ABG (p = 0.99). We did not find any significant difference in terms of ACG, pre- and postoperative ABG between two approaches for type-II and type-III reconstructions (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

According to the current study, endoscopic approach in type-II and type-III reconstruction is at least reliable as microscopic approach regarding functional outcome. Since both techniques have similar functional results, other factors (anatomic characteristics, habitude of the surgeon and duration of the surgery) should be considered when choosing the technique.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

In the current paper we present a retrospective comparative study of two different approaches of a particular type of otologic surgery. Level of evidence corresponds to level III.

Over-under cartilage tympanoplasty: technique, results and a call for improved reporting

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to describe the microscopic over-under cartilage tympanoplasty technique, provide hearing results and detail clinically significant complications.

METHOD

This was a retrospective case series chart review study of over-under cartilage tympanoplasty procedures performed by the senior author between January 2015 and January 2019 at three tertiary care centres. Cases were excluded for previous or intra-operative cholesteatoma, if a mastoidectomy was performed during the procedure or if ossiculoplasty was performed. Hearing results and complications were obtained.

RESULTS

Sixty-eight tympanoplasty procedures met the inclusion criteria. The median age was 13 years (range, 3-71 years). The mean improvement in pure tone average was 6 dB (95 per cent confidence interval 4-9 dB; p < 0.0001). The overall perforation closure rate was 97 per cent (n = 66). Revision surgery was recommended for a total of 6 cases (9 per cent) including 2 post-operative perforations, 1 case of middle-ear cholesteatoma and 3 cases of external auditory canal scarring.

CONCLUSION

Over-under cartilage tympanoplasty is effective at improving clinically meaningful hearing with a low rate of post-operative complications.