Myringoplasty: A Comparison of Bismuth Iodoform Paraffin Paste Gauze Pack and Plane Gauze (containing Lococotien with Veoform)

Objectives: To assess difference between two methods of post-operative ear packing: bismuth iodoform paraffin paste (BIPP) versus plane gauze containing steroid and antibiotics (lococotien with veoform) Methods: A retrospective study of patients who had undergone myringoplasty at our hospital from January 2005 to January 2007. Data, including age, size of perforation surgical approach, use of post-operative ear dressings, complications were collected from the patient notes and analysed. The overall success rate of the operation (with success being defined as an intact tympanic membrane at 12 months) was noted Results: Two hundred eighteen myringoplasties where data were completed are included in this study. Age ranged from 12 to 65 years (mean age 35 years) and the mean follow-up period was 12.61 months. The overall success rate was 83.5 percent. The success rate for BIPP and plane gauze (lococotien with veoform) was 80.9 and 86.4 percent respectively (p = 0.272) . In BIPP group (23.5%) developed granulation tissue formation in exteranal canal compare to 11.7 percent of (lococotien with veoform) group (p =0.023). Conclusion: We found no significant difference in the success rate of myringoplasty between the BIPP and (lococotien with veoform) groups. However, there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in in term of granulation development. Packing with (lococotien with veoform) gauze has lower tendency to develop granulation tissue in the external canal following myringoplasty.