Article
A comparison of cartilage and fascia in tympanoplasty for chronic noncholesteatomatous diseases of middle ear
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Published: | April 16, 2009 |
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Outline
Abstract
Objective: To compare cartilage with fascia grafting in reconstruction of the eardrum after surgery for chronic noncholesteatomatous diseases of middle ear with respect to postoperative drum retraction and perforation and the hearing results.
Material: Between Ianuary 2002 and December 2005 a total of 74 patients aged 18 to 55 underwent surgery for noncholesteatomatous diseases of middle ear. The eardrum was reconstructed using cartilage palisades or cartilage composite grafts in 32 cases and temporalis fascia in 42 cases. Postoperatively the patients were evaluated by otomicroscopy and audiometry.
Results: All patients in the palisade group attended the follow-up examinations for at least one year. In the fascia group there were 2 patients that did not attend the follow-up examinations. In the cartilage group the mean follow up period was 20 months and 29 months in the fascia group. Two perforations (6%) and 4 (12%) retractions were found in the cartilage group versus 5 (12%) perforations and 6 (14%) retractions in the fascia group at the follow up. The hearing results were quite the same in the two groups.
Conclusions: The comparison of fascia and cartilage for drum reconstruction after chronic noncholesteatomatous diseases of middle ear in adults indicates a slight advantage for the cartilage techniques in respect to prevention of drum retraction and perforation. The hearing results were quite the same in the two groups.