Comparison of perichondrium–cartilage double and single underlay myringoplasty for subtotal perforations: a randomized controlled trial

Objective The objective of this study was to compare graft outcome, operation time and surgical complications of the double and single perichondrium–cartilage underlay techniques for repairing subtotal tympanic membrane (TM) perforations. Materials and methods Patients with unilateral subtotal perforations undergoing myringoplasty were prospectively randomized to undergo DPCN or SPCN. The operation time, graft success rate, audiometric outcomes, and complications were compared between these groups. Results In total, 53 patients with unilateral subtotal perforations were included (DPCN group, 27; SPCN group, 26).All patients completed 6 months of follow-up. The mean operation time was 41.2 ± 1.8 min in the DPCN group and 37.2 ± 5.4 min in the SPCN group, the difference was not significant ( p = 0.613).The graft success rates were 96.3% (26/27) in the DPCN group and 73.1% (19/26) in the SPCN group, the difference was significant ( p = 0.048). During the period of follow-up, residual perforation was found at postoperative in one (3.7%) in the DPCN group, while cartilage graft slipped (graft lateralization) in 2 (7.7%) and residual perforation in 5 (19.2%) were found in the SPCN group, the difference of residual perforation was not significant among two group ( p = 0.177).In addition, no significant between-group differences were observed pre- ( p = 0.741) or post- ( p = 0.687) operative ABG values or mean ABG gain ( p = 0.659) (Table 2 ).The functional success rates (postoperative ABG ≤ 20 dB) were 85.2% (23/27) in the DPCN group and 73.1% (19/26) in the SPCN group ( p = 0.454). Conclusion Although similar functional result and operation time can be obtained with double perichondrium–cartilage underlay technique compared to the single perichondrium–cartilage underlay technique for endoscopic closure of subtotal perforations, double unerlay technique offers better anatomical result with minimum complications.