Polyglycolic acid sheet attached with fibrin glue can facilitate faster epithelialization of the mastoid cavity after canal wall-down tympanoplasty.

OBJECTIVE

This study retrospectively investigated whether polyglycolic acid (PGA) sheet attached to the bone surface using fibrin glue facilitate faster epithelialization of the mastoid bowl after canal wall-down (CWD) tympanoplasty compared to a simple dressing using poly-N-acetyl-glucosamine (Kichin) sheet.

METHODS

After completion of the CWD tympanoplasty, PGA sheet (n=16, PGA group) with fibrin glue or Kichin sheet (n=38, Kichin group) were placed on the bone surface of the mastoid bowl.

RESULTS

Postoperative epithelialization of the mastoid cavity was significantly (p<0.05) faster in the PGA group than in the Kichin group (mean 135 versus 244 days, respectively). Use of the Kaplan-Meier method showed that only the short-term epithelialization rate (up to 100 days after operation) was significantly higher. No major adverse effects related to either procedure were seen.

CONCLUSIONS

Epithelialization of the mastoid bowl after CWD tympanoplasty was faster in the postoperative short term when it was dressed with PGA sheet using fibrin glue compared with Kichin sheet.