Type 1 Tympanoplasty: Conventional Microscopic Technique versus Platelet Gel Technique: A Retrospective Study

Type 1 tympanoplasty is indicated to repair tympanic membrane perforation in patients affected by hearing loss. The conventional surgical approach includes endomeatal, endaural and post-auricular routes, using different types of graft. Growth factors are present in platelets and promote physiological healing of damaged tissues. We investigated the outcomes of conventional microscopic technique to type 1 tympanoplasty versus platelet gel technique in tympanic membrane perforations. Considering platelet gel improves soft tissues' healing, the aim of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of platelet gel application in patients with a damage of a particular soft tissue, as tympanic membrane. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed record charts of 36 patients with a diagnosis of tympanic membrane perforation and who undergone to a type 1 tympanoplasty between April 2012 and September 2013. During the reconstructive phase 22 patients were treated with a conventional surgical approach, while 14 patients were treated with a platelet gel as an outpatients treatment. Results: Compared to type 1 conventional tympanoplasty alone, the type 1 tympanoplasty with platelet gel application was no statistically significant in terms of tympanic index closure. Compared to surgery alone, we report a faster recovery for the group treated with platelet gel as outpatients procedure. Conclusions: Platelet gel application in otosurgery is a non invasive, safe and outpatients technique to restore tympanic perforation. However, further prospective data are needed to confirm these preliminary results.