Abstract
Introduction Chronic suppurative otitis media is a common ailment in developing countries, and
it generally presents with otorrhea and hearing loss. Different surgical procedures
have been used to treat otitis media; among them is myringoplasty, which is a procedure
that includes repair of the tympanic membrane. Platelet concentrates have been used
widely in different types of wounds and are found to improve wound healing. Hence,
the use of platelet-rich fibrin in myringoplasty will also improve the tympanic membrane
healing.
Objectives To assess the safety and efficacy of autologous platelet-rich fibrin on graft uptake
in myringoplasty.
Methods Eighty-six patients were observed during the study period of two years. Forty-three
patients in the study group underwent myringoplasty aided with platelet-rich fibrin,
and 43 patients in the control group went through the same procedure but without the
platelet-rich fibrin. The patients were observed for three months postoperatively
by a blinded observer.
Results A total of 4.7% of the patients in the study group had postoperative infection, compared
with a rate of 19% in the control group (p = 0.039). The graft uptake success rate was found to be 97.7% in the study group
as compared with 81% in control group (p = 0.012). The results were found to be statistically significant.
Conclusion Being autologous in nature, and by comparing the groups, platelet-rich fibrin is
safe for patients. The postoperative graft uptake rate is better in cases in which
platelet-rich fibrin was used. The postoperative infection rate was also lower in
the same group.
Keywords
myringoplasty - tympanic membrane - platelet-rich fibrin - graft uptake
