The Effect of External Auditory Canal Packing Duration on Healing After Endoscopic Cartilage Myringoplasty

Abstract

Introduction: The external auditory canal (EAC) packing is widely used in otosurgery and is considered to promote hemostasis and to support tympanic membrane grafts. However, few studies have investigated the effects of packing removal time on healing. Objective: We investigated the effect of EAC packing duration on healing after endoscopic cartilage myringoplasty in patients with chronic tympanic membrane perforations (TMPs). Materials and Methods: Patients with chronic TMPs who underwent endoscopic “push-through” cartilage myringoplasty were divided into early and late groups based on the length of time before EAC packing was removed. The graft success rate, eardrum appearance, and hearing gain were assessed 3 months after surgery. Results: The study included 137 patients. Three months after surgery, the graft success rate was 83.5% (66/79) in the early group and 94.8% (55/58) in the late group ( P = .042). The graft was displaced in 8 (10.1%) patients in the early group and in 1 (1.7%) patient in the late group ( P = .050). No epithelialization was found on the surface of the grafts in the early group, whereas epithelialization was nearly complete 4 weeks after surgery in the late group. Conclusions: Delaying removal of the EAC packing after endoscopic cartilage myringoplasty may promote tympanic membrane better healing and cartilage graft epithelialization and improve the appearance of the eardrum.