Silver cauterization: An office procedure for repair of small tympanic membrane perforation

Abstract

Introduction: Patients with small tympanic membrane (TM) perforations often suffer from repeated infections rather than hearing loss. Repair of TM perforations is required regardless of its size, as without closure, morbidity may include hearing loss, chronic otorrhea, and cholesteatoma formation. Objective: To assess the effectiveness of the topical silver cauterization to refresh and close small TM perforation as an office-based procedure. Materials and Methods: Thirteen patients with small TM perforations were enrolled in the study. The margin of the perforation was cauterized using silver nitrate 10% that was repeated up to six times. The procedure was considered successful if there was no residual perforation within the follow-up period. Postoperative audiometry was performed before cauterization then at 3 months after. Results: Successful perforation repair was achieved in ten ears (76.9%). Mean hearing gain was 11.5 ± 8 for all cases and 15 ± 5.27 for succeeded cases. None of the patients developed infection, hearing impairment, tinnitus, vertigo, bleeding, taste disturbance, or hyperkeratosis. Conclusion: Office-based silver cautery is a safe, effective, and minimally invasive procedure. It is suitable for repairing small TM perforations with comparable success rate to conventional myringoplasty.