FAT PLUG MYRINGOPLASTY: ANALYSIS OF A SAFE PROCEDURE FOR SMALL TYMPANIC PERFORATIONS

Objective: Assessment of value of fat plug myringoplasty as office-based procedure in small tympanic membrane perforations. Material and Methods: Prospective study of consecutive patients undergoing fat plug myringoplasty under local anesthesia. Minimum follow-up considered was 6 months, which included several microscopic examinations. All data were recorded and analyzed statistically. Results: 33 patients matched the inclusion criteria; the mean perforation size was 2.8 mm. No change in PTA was noted after surgery in the whole series. Recurrence of perforation was detected in 7 cases (21%), which was statistically related with the cause of perforation rather than location or size (p-value