Repair of Large Traumatic Tympanic Membrane Perforation with a Steri-Strips Patch

Objective. To investigate the effects of the Steri-Strips patch (3M) on the treatment of large traumatic tympanic membrane perforations (TMP).

Study Design. Prospective, randomized, controlled.

Setting. Tertiary university hospital.

Subjects and Methods. A randomized prospective analysis was performed between February 2009 and January 2011 for the treatment of traumatic TMP larger than 50% of the entire tympanic membrane. The results of closure rate, closure time, hearing gain, and rate of otorrhea between conservative observation, paper patching, and Steri-Strips patching groups were compared.

Results. In total, 87 patients were analyzed in this study. The closure rates of the perforations in the Steri-Strips patching, paper patching, and observation groups were 93.3%, 84.2%, and 78.9%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in tympanic membrane closure rate between the 3 groups. The Steri-Strips technique decreased the need for repeat procedures. Overall, the Steri-Strips and paper patching groups showed shorter healing times compared with the observation group. However, there was an increased rate of otorrhea in the Steri-Strips group compared with the observation group.

Conclusion. Steri-Strips patching reduced the healing time and need for repeat procedures in patients with large traumatic TMPs. However, the occurrence of otorrhea was significantly more common in patients treated with the Steri-Strips technique.