Acta Otolaryngol. 2026 Apr 19:1-7. doi: 10.1080/00016489.2026.2659356. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is characterized by recurrent otorrhea and tympanic membrane perforation. The selection of surgical technique and suitable time for myringoplasty remain variable and unclear.
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the feasibility and effectiveness of the CSOM patients with dry and wet ears using endoscopic inlay and underlay myringoplasty.
METHODS: Sixty-four patients with CSOM who underwent endoscopic underlay or inlay myringoplasty were studied retrospectively. Cartilage-perichondrium grafts were used to repair tympanic membrane perforations. Pure-tone audiometry was performed at pre- and post-operation assessing hearing outcomes.
RESULTS: Successful closure of performed tympanic membrane with operations was achieved in all patients. Hearing improvement was observed in both the dry ear group and the wet ear group, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups (p > 0.05). Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference in hearing improvement in the two groups by inlay and underlay technique. However, the operative time in wet ear group was statistically significant shorter in inlay myringoplasty group than in the underlay myringoplasty group (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: The closure rates of tympanic membrane perforation and post-operative hearing improvement were not affected in the wet ears. Endoscopic inlay myringoplasty might be a suitable option for patients with wet ears, offering shorter operative times, minimal trauma to middle ear structures.
PMID:42003062 | DOI:10.1080/00016489.2026.2659356
