Gelfoam plug tympanoplasty concomitant with removal of retained ventilation tubes

Objective: To review the charts of patients treated using a gelfoam plug and to determine the efficacy of its use as a grafting material for prevention of perforation when removing retained ventilation tubes. Method: Following removal of the retained tube, excision and debridement of the rim of the perforation, the perforation was plugged with gelfoam material. Between February 1998 and July 2002, we used this procedure in 27 patients aged 15 years and younger, on a total of 36 ears. Results: In all 27 cases, complete healing of the perforation was attained. Conclusion: A minimal tympanoplastic procedure using gelfoam graft concomitantly with tube removal is effective in prevention of perforation resulting from delayed spontaneous extrusion.