Application of posterior canal skin flap for the repair of large tympanic membrane perforations

OBJECTIVE: Many methods have been described for the repair of the tympanic membrane, but there is no general consensus as to the standard method. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the inferior base posterior canal skin flap on the graft success rate in large tympanic membrane perforations. METHODS: After the post‐auricular incision, the posterior canal skin flap with inferior pedicle was created by two vertical and one horizontal incisions. Then the flap was rotated over the temporalis fascia graft. The graft success rate and postoperation hearing test results were evaluated in 52 patients who suffered from large tympanic membrane perforations. RESULTS: We achieved a 92.3% total graft success rate with about 9 dB improvement in speech reception threshold (SRT). CONCLUSION: The rotational inferior base posterior canal skin flap tympanoplasty technique is simple, fast, safe, and effective for the repair of subtotal tympanic membrane perforations.