title: Laser myringoplasty for tympanic membrane atelectasis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review our experience with laser myringoplasty using a potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP) laser for pars tensa atelectasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review.
  
  
  METHODS
  A pulsed diode KTP laser (532 nm) was used to tighten the tympanic membrane after lysis of middle ear adhesions through a myringotomy. A tympanostomy tube was then placed. Operative reports and clinic notes were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We reviewed 34 procedures performed on 31 ears in 29 patients. The average time of follow-up was 10.5 months with a range of 1 to 30 months. Seventeen of 34 tubes (50%) extruded during the follow-up period. Eleven cases had follow-up with the tube extruded and TM intact. Two (18%) of those had progression of atelectasis. Two (6%) cases had operative perforations and both healed spontaneously.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laser myringoplasty using a KTP laser for pars tensa atelectasis appears to be beneficial in selected patients. Patients should be followed closely for early tube extrusion and recurrent disease.
authors.affiliation: Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
authors.forename: J Travis
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Brawner
authors.forename: James E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Saunders
authors.forename: Wayne E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Berryhill
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009225:Myringoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*