Platelet-Rich Fibrin for the Repair of Tympanic Membrane

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effect of the Choukroun’s platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) on the acute tympanic membrane perforations due to trauma without application of any classic tympanoplasty procedure.

Method: This prospective controlled study was conducted at Umraniye Hospital, between April and December 2011. Thirty-two subjects with acute tympanic membrane perforations due to trauma were divided randomly into 2 groups (study: 14, control: 18). In the study group, PRF was used to repair tympanic membrane perforations. In the control group, no manipulation was performed.

Results: Mean area of perforation was 10.93 ± 3.58 mm² in the study group and 10.05 ± 4.02 mm² in the control group in the first examination. At the end of the first month the mean area of the perforation was 1.35 ± 2.53 mm² in the study group and 4.44 ± 3.34 mm² in the control group (P < .01). Total closure rate of the tympanic rates was 64.3% for the study group and 22.2% for the control group (P < .05) at the end of the first month. At the end of the second month, number of patients with a perforation was 1 for the study group, 4 for the control group (P > .05).

Conclusion: PRF application in otologic interventions is a new subject and little information is currently available about its use in otology. Our study has shown that PRF is an autogenous, useful and easy to prepare biomaterial which accelerates the healing of the tympanic membrane.