Myringoplasty Using a Human Birth Tissue Allograft

This video demonstrates a myringoplasty procedure using Neox RT – a human birth tissue allograft – to repair a tympanic membrane perforation in a pediatric patient. Neox RT is indicated as a wound covering for dermal ulcers or defects, but it holds further utility for myringoplasty. Birth tissue contains growth factors that stimulate epithelialization, as well as extracellular proteins that furnish scaffolding material for wound repair. These properties make it a natural and appealing option to induce tympanic membrane regeneration and healing. 

We employ a “sandwich” technique, in which pieces of the allograft are placed both medial and lateral to the perforation. Simple overlay and underlay techniques have been tried with success, but the allograft is packaged as a single piece that affords enough material to craft two smaller pieces. The simultaneous placement of medial and lateral grafts not only avoids waste but may increase success. 

Both pieces are trimmed to be slightly larger than the perforation. After freshening the edges of the perforation with a Rosen pick and partially filling the middle ear with dry, absorbable gelatin sponge, trimmed pieces of allograft are inserted sequentially in underlay and overlay fashion to remain medial and lateral to the perforation. Both the underlay and overlay pieces cover the perforation and overlap the native tympanic membrane around the perforation. More absorbable sponge is then inserted lateral to the graft to hold it in place against the tympanic membrane. Finally, antibiotic drops and bacitracin ointment are placed in the canal.