Endoscopic Cartilage Slice Reinforcement Technique for Anterior Perforation Repair with Anterior Canal Wall Protrusion

Objective: To evaluate the outcomes and complications of the endoscopic cartilage slice reinforcement technique used on anterior margins for anterior perforation repair with anterior canal wall protrusion. Material and Methods: We conducted a prospective study on 38 cases of anterior perforation with anterior canal wall protrusion, treated using the endoscopic cartilage slice reinforcement technique from February 1, 2017 to August 29, 2023. The follow-up period was 6 months. Results: Of the 38 patients, medium perforations were present in 28.9%, large in 65.8%, and subtotal in 5.3%. The cause was mucosal chronic otitis media in 92.1%, traumatic perforation in 5.3%, and ventilation tube removal in 2.6%. The average operation time was 27.2 ± 4.6 minutes. The graft success rate was 94.7% (36/38) at 6 months postoperative. The average preoperative air-bone gap (ABG) was 19.8 ± 4.2 dB, and postoperative ABG was 8.6 ± 2.9 dB; this improvement was statistically significant ( P < .001; paired-sample t-test). The ABG gain was 11.8 ± 5.1 dB, and the rate of successful surgery (postoperative ABG ≤ 20 dB) was 97.4% (37/38). No complications such as altered taste, vertigo, or tinnitus were reported, and no cases involved graft lateralization, significant blunting, graft atelectasis, graft adhesions, or effusion. However, myringitis was observed in 4 (10.5%) patients. Conclusion: The endoscopic cartilage slice reinforcement technique for anterior margins is a simple and effective method for repairing anterior perforations with anterior canal wall protrusion, achieving a high graft success rate, improved hearing, and minimal complications.