The Long-Term Stability of Fat-Graft Myringoplasty in the Closure of Tympanic Membrane Perforations and Hearing Restoration

Abstract

<b><i>Background/Aims:</i></b> This study was conducted to evaluate the long-term stability of fat-graft myringoplasty (FGM) for chronic tympanic membrane perforations, analyzing the perforation closure rate and re-gained hearing outcome with respect to the size and location of the perforations. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Between August 2007 and June 2018, a total of 193 patients who underwent FGM due to chronic tympanic membrane perforation at a tertiary referral center were enrolled and analyzed. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The mean follow-up was 14.6 months (range 6–39). The complete perforation closure rate after FGM was 89.6%, with no statistical difference among the perforation size groups. The mean postoperative air-bone gap (ABG) was 11.0 dB and mean ABG improvement was 4.9 dB. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Our FGM technique had a favorable tympanic closure rate for small to large perforations, and yielded relatively good hearing improvement in the mid-size perforation cases over long-term follow-up periods. According to the topographic evaluation of FGM, this procedure resulted in a reliable perforation closure rate and audiological results regardless of the perforation site.