Comparison of subcutaneous soft tissue versus temporalis fascia as a tympanoplasty graft material: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Abstract Objective This research compares the efficacy of subcutaneous soft tissue and temporalis fascia in tympanic membrane grafting for large tympanic membrane perforations. Methods A retrospective cohort study compared tympanic membrane graft success rate and hearing outcomes in 248 patients who underwent tympanoplasty using subcutaneous soft tissue (n = 118) or temporalis fascia (n = 130) via the post-auricular approach. Results Comparable results were observed in both groups. Tympanic membrane graft success rate was 98.3 per cent (116 ears) in the subcutaneous soft tissue group and 98.5 per cent (128 ears) in the temporalis fascia group. The rate of air–bone gap closure within 20 dB was 54.2 per cent (64 ears) and 60.0 per cent (78 ears) in the soft tissue and temporalis fascia groups, respectively (p = 0.360). Conclusion Subcutaneous soft tissue is a reliable and readily available tympanic membrane graft material in both revision and primary tympanoplasty for large tympanic membrane perforations.