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FRONTIERS IN MEDICAL CASE REPORTS - Volume 2; Issue 2, (Mar-Apr, 2021)

Pages: 1-04
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Type 1 Myringoplasty and Platelet Gel Surgical Approach: A Case Report

Author: M. Colosio, N. Tanzi, G.N. Frau, A. F. Cristallo

Category: Medical Case Reports

Abstract:

Tympanoplasty is indicated to repair tympanic membrane perforations in patients affected by hearing loss. We investigated the outcomes of unconventional microscopic approach to type 1 tympanoplasty with autologous platelet gel in tympanic membrane perforation. Considering that platelet gel improves reparation of cutaneous lesions, we evaluate the efficacy of platelet gel application in patients with a damage of a particular soft tissue, as tympanic membrane (Adler and Kent, 2002; Bhanot and Alex, 2002; Mann et al., 2001; Pierce et al., 1991). We treated a patient referred to Otorinolaryngology Clinic of S. Maria del Carmine Hospital, Rovereto (TN) with a diagnosis of tympanic membrane perforation and mixed left hearing loss who undergone to a type 1 tympanoplasty with platelet gel. Our primary outcome was tympanic index closure. We report a faster recovery in this patient treated with platelet gel as an outpatients procedure. In conclusion, platelet gel application in otosurgery, in outpatients treatment. is a noninvasive, safe technique to restore tympanic perforation. However, further prospective data are needed to confirm these preliminary results.

Keywords: Type 1 Tympanoplasty, Autologous Platelet Gel, Tympanic Index Closure

DOI URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.47746/FMCR.2021.2202

Full Text:

Introduction

A 45-year-old man presented with mixed left hearing loss, persistent otitis at least seven months with otalgia, fullness and discomfort. Clinical examination revealed single, inferior and marginal, “kidney shape” tympanic membrane perforation, with mild reddened and exuding margins, surrounded by an area of miringitis (Fig. 1). The patient had been previously treated for two weeks with antibiotic therapy for a positive swab (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA). A clinical diagnosis of tympanic membrane perforation was made and the patient was treated with an innovative surgery approach: type 1 Tympanoplasty with the application of platelet gel.


Figure 1: Clinical examination revealed single, inferior and marginal, “kidney shape” tympanic membrane perforation, with mild reddened and exuding margins, surrounded by an area of miringitis

Case Presentation and Method

Platelet gel was obtained by extracting 45 ml of autologous peripheral blood, which was then immediately processed at room temperature in a dedicated device Angel System. Whole blood underwent two consecutive centrifugations as standard protocol (hematocrit 7%) to produce 2 ml of platelet-rich plasma (Mann et al., 2001). The thrombin fraction was then produced from platelet-poor plasma with a specific kit that enables the extraction of autologous thrombin from the platelet rich plasma (PRP): when added to the harvested PRP, thrombin activates the coagulation cascade, induces the platelet’s degranulation and initiates the formation of the fibrin matrix (I-Kung et al., 2016; Zhang et al., 2019). After this first phase that was done by physician experienced in Transfusion Medicine, the Otorhinolaryngogyst has placed a cotton soaked in anesthetic on tympanic membrane and into the external auditory canal for a time of 30 minutes. Then, he has dipped a modified haemostatic gelatin (Gelita®, Braun, Melsungen, Germany) into the PRP for 2 minutes, and then placed it into tympanic cavity, applying a membrane of bovine collagen (Tutopatch®, Tutogen Medical, Bavaria, Germany). The cotton was removed on the fifth post-operative day.

Discussion

As far as we know there are no similar studies that evaluate this surgical approach with autologous platelet gel in association with a membrane of collagen. The bioactive molecules secreted from PRP facilitate the ability of leukocytes to clear pathogens and necrotic tissue, which promotes wound healing. As demonstrated in this report. We have applied a conventional surgical technique as type 1 miryngoplasty with a bioactive graft to induce wound healing in a soft tissue as tympanic membrane.

At 5 months follow-up, the perforation treated with this new approach was closed, without any morbidity (Fig. 2) and the audiometric exam showed a little improvement of deafness (Fig. 3).


Figure 2: At 5 months follow-up, the perforation treated with this new approach was closed, without any morbidity

Figure 3: Pre (A) and post-tympanoplasty (B) type 1 (platelet gel approach) audiometric exam

Conclusions

In conclusion, this surgical procedure of type 1 tympanoplasty with platelet gel is a non-invasive and safe approach for resolving a situation of tympanic perforation. Furthermore, we report faster recovery for the patient without any complication and with a little improvement of deafness (see audiometric exam).

Conflict of Interest

The Authors declare no conflict of interest and no financial interest.

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