Surgical and Audiological Outcome of Tympanoplasty Type I with use of Gelfoam Soaked in Platelet Rich Plasma: A Novel technique

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic otitis media is a disease commonly presented in ENT clinics. Gelfoam is a commonly used agent for packing the middle ear and external auditory canal during tympanoplasty. The aim of the study is to observe and document the surgical and audiological outcomes of tympanoplasty type I with the use of Gelfoam soaked in platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Material and methods: This study included 30 patients aged between 15 to 50 years of age who were diagnosed with Inactive COM mucosal type undergoing type I tympanoplasty. Pre-operative otoscopy and pure tone audiometry were done and compared with post-operative otoscopy and pure tone audiometry at 6 weeks. Results: All 30 (100%) patients showed uptake of graft at the end of 6 weeks. In a comparison of pre-operative and post-operative AB gap at 6 weeks, there was a significant improvement (p-value 0.00). The AB gap average at individual frequencies:500, 1000, and 2000 Hz was measured, and maximum AB gap improvement was seen at 1000 Hz, of 11.3 ± 6.0 dB. Conclusion: All the patients in the study group showed complete graft healing and significant improvement on audiogram post-operatively at 6 weeks, signifying that the use of PRP with Gelfoam enhances the overall outcome of TM perforation repair.