ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There are several techniques to perform myringoplasty for tympanic membrane perforations as an outpatient procedure. The aim of this study is to compare the results of fat and perichondrium myringoplasty for the treatment of chronic small tympanic membrane perforations. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: This investigation included 46 patients with chronic tympanic membrane perforations smaller than 3 mm. The patients were equally divided into 2 main groups according to surgical procedures. The patients underwent fat, or perichondrium myringoplasty without skin incision via transcanal approach under local anesthesia. The healing results of perforation and hearing improvement were investigated. RESULTS: Closure rates of the perforations in the fat, perichondrium myringoplasty groups were all the same as 87% (20/23). There were no significant differences between techniques in tympanic membrane closure rates with regard to size and location and in hearing improvement. However, the recovery time was a little faster in perichondrium myringoplasty during follow up. CONCLUSION: Conservative myringoplasty using fat and perichondrium is a feasible procedure that can be perfomed on outpatient basis for chronic small tympanic membrane perforations.