Pitfalls in myringoplasty.

The results of myringoplasty on 172 ears examined after an average follow-up time of 1.5 years are reported. The fascial underlay technique with swing-door plasty was employed in 78% of the cases. The graft take was successful in 150 ears (87%), three of which (2%) later revealed adhesive changes in the middle ear. Three ears were reoperated, the percentage of healed perforations being 89. A high tone hearing loss occurred in two ears and a moderate flat sensorineural hearing loss in another two (2%). Successful graft take was obtained in 92% of the operations performed by specialists and in 59% of the ears operated upon by residents. Successful myringoplasty presupposes acquisition of a faultless surgical technique and strict adherence to it at all phases of surgery.