Early Results after Reconstruction of the Middle Ear by Cartilage

Overview

The authors present a group of 84 tympanoplasties where cartilage with theperichondrium was used - in simple myringoplasties as well as in tympanoplasties with reconstruc-tion of the chain of ossicles. The authors use cartilage from the ear lobe or trag either in the formof palisades or is an islet-shaped perichondrocartilaginous graft. The advantage of this graft, ascompared with a fascial one, is better resistance, slighter subsequent formation of retractionpockets and perforations. The disadvantage is sometimes a smaller auditory gain.The authors present early postoperative results. Half a year after operation in 76 patients (90.5%)a closed middle ear cavity with an intact ear drum developed (so-called isdry early). Social hearingwas achieved after operation in patients of group W I in 96% (as compared with 72% beforeoperation), in group W III in 73% (before surgery in 53%), in the total number in 80% patients and60% before surgery.

Key words:
tympanoplasty, cartilage with perichondrium, palisade technique, islet-shaped graft.