Treatment for Acute Tympanic Membrane Perforation

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Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol. 2016;9(3):284-285
Publication date (electronic) : 2016 July 1
doi : https://doi.org/10.21053/ceo.2015.01921
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Yiwu Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Yiwu, China
Corresponding author: Zheng-Cai Lou, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Yiwu Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, 699, Jiangdong road, Yiwu, China Tel: +86-579-8520-9584, Fax: +86-579-8520-9678 E-mail: louzhengcai@163.com
Received 2015 December 13; Accepted 2015 December 23.

We would like to address the manuscript titled “Clinical Outcomes of Silk Patch in Acute Tympanic Membrane Perforation” by Lee et al. [1].

The work is very interesting and we agree with the authors that patching may reduce the closure time of traumatic tympanic membrane perforations (TMPs). However, we felt that some viewpoints in the manuscript were not appropriate [1]. The authors stated the following:

“After marginal trimming and eversion of the inverted part of the perforated tympanic membrane (TM), the paper patch or silk patch was laid over the perforation of the TM using microforceps and an ear pick. But some of the cases (trauma history with a short time [within 24 hours]) received patch procedures without trimming and eversion.” [1].

With regard to this statement, we believe that trimming and eversion of the perforated edge was not necessary if the traumatic TMPs had signs of spontaneous healing, especially in cases in which the perforations 1 week postinjury still had fresh edges. This procedure may increase the pain experienced by the patient, as well as increase the costs associated with the treatment. Several studies have shown that edge approximation is not necessary nor does it improve the closure rate of traumatic TMPs [2-5]. The authors stated, “Before the procedures, paper patch was applied by antibiotic ointment and the silk patch was immersed in normal saline for 3–4 minutes.” [1]. We realize that the silk patch enhanced water absorption, and by immersing it in saline a moist environment could be created. Previous studies have shown that moist environments are able to accelerate tympanic membrane healing and reduce closure time [6,7]. Amadasun [8] reported a closure rate of 92.3% in 13 of 15 traumatic TMP patients (86.7%) using a semisolid gentamicin ointment plug (Gentalek, Lek Pharmaceutical and Chemical Company, Veroskova, Slovenia with NAFDAC no. 04-0220) [8]. Thus, the conclusions made in this manuscript are confounding [3]. In this study, Figs. 2 and 3 showed small-sized perforations, according to the classification of perforation size. Previous studies have reported that the closure rate of small perforations is greater than 94%, and thus, surgical intervention should not be recommended for small-sized perforations [9,10].

Notes

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

References

1. Lee JH, Lee JS, Kim DK, Park CH, Lee HR. Clinical outcomes of silk patch in acute tympanic membrane perforation. Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol 2015;Jun. 8(2):117–22.
2. Lou ZC, Wang YB. Healing outcomes of large (>50%) traumatic membrane perforations with inverted edges following no intervention, edge approximation and fibroblast growth factor application; a sequential allocation, three-armed trial. Clin Otolaryngol 2013;Aug. 38(4):289–96.
3. Lou ZC, He JG. A randomised controlled trial comparing spontaneous healing, gelfoam patching and edge-approximation plus gelfoam patching in traumatic tympanic membrane perforation with inverted or everted edges. Clin Otolaryngol 2011;Jun. 36(3):221–6.
4. Park MK, Kim KH, Lee JD, Lee BD. Repair of large traumatic tympanic membrane perforation with a Steri-Strips patch. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2011;Oct. 145(4):581–5.
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6. Lou Z, Wang Y, Su K. Comparison of the healing mechanisms of human dry and endogenous wet traumatic eardrum perforations. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2014;Aug. 271(8):2153–7.
7. Lou ZC, Tang YM, Yang J. A prospective study evaluating spontaneous healing of aetiology, size and type-different groups of traumatic tympanic membrane perforation. Clin Otolaryngol 2011;Oct. 36(5):450–60.
8. Amadasun JE. An observational study of the management of traumatic tympanic membrane perforations. J Laryngol Otol 2002;Mar. 116(3):181–4.
9. Orji FT, Agu CC. Determinants of spontaneous healing in traumatic perforations of the tympanic membrane. Clin Otolaryngol 2008;Oct. 33(5):420–6.
10. Jellinge ME, Kristensen S, Larsen K. Spontaneous closure of traumatic tympanic membrane perforations: observational study. J Laryngol Otol 2015;Oct. 129(10):950–4.

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