Outcomes of type I tympanoplasty using a cartilage shield graft in patients with poor prognostic factors

• DOI: 10.1016/j.anl.2016.10.013
• Publication Date: 2016-12-08T17:02:49Z
• Authors: Kyung Wook Heo
• Keywords: Tympanic Membrane Perforation; Myringoplasty; Perforation

Although fascia is widely used as the grafting material in tympanoplasty (TP), unsatisfactory outcomes can result in patients with poor prognostic factors. Recently, cartilage has emerged as a graft material in TP. This study examined the operative outcomes of type I TP using a cartilage shield graft (CSG) in patients with poor prognostic factors.This study reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent type I TP using CSG performed by the same surgeon, with over 24 months of follow-up.There were 94 patients (mean age 46 years). Preoperatively, 39 patients had near-total perforation, 29 had a previous TP or myringoplasty, 14 had adhesive otitis media, and 12 had a marginal perforation covering ≥50% of the tympanic membrane area. The mean postoperative air-bone gap was significantly (p<0.0001) reduced compared to preoperative measurements. Postoperatively, tympanic membrane perforation occurred in 2.1% and otorrhea in 6.4%. There were no cases of retraction, adhesion, or lateralization. One subject complained of autophonia and ear fullness.Type I TP using CSG has excellent surgical results and minimal complications, even in patients with poor prognostic factors, and should thus be considered in those patients.