A Comparative Study: Platelet-Rich Fibrin Packing as an Alternative to the Absorbable Gelatine in Tympanoplasty

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate platelet-rich fibrin’s potential role as packing material in both the middle ear and external auditory canal. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients undergoing transcanal endoscopic type 1 cartilage tympanoplasty were included in this controlled prospective clinical study. Patients were randomly assigned to platelet-rich fibrin (n = 14) or absorbable gelatine (n = 15) groups. Preoperative and postoperative pure-tone audiometry results, graft healing rates, tympanometry values, and Glasgow Benefit Inventory scores were compared. RESULTS: No significant postoperative complications were observed and the graft intake rate was 100% in both groups. Mean air-bone gap gain was 9.82 ± 4 dB HL in the postoperative first month and 10.08 ± 4.91 dB HL in the sixth postoperative month in the platelet-rich fibrin group. There was no statistically significant difference between the postoperative air-bone gap gains of the groups in the first (P = .537) and sixth month (P = .723) controls. There was no statistically significant difference in compliance (P = .453) between groups. The physical benefit scores of the Glasgow Benefit Inventory were significantly higher in the platelet-rich fibrin group (P = .01). There was no difference in general and social benefit scores (P > .05). CONCLUSION: As a middle and external auditory canal packing agent, platelet-rich fibrin was as successful as absorbable gelatine in transcanal endoscopic cartilage tympanoplasty with similar functional results and graft healing rate.