Evaluation of hearing outcome of tympanoplasty using cartilage graft versus temporalis fascia graft

Abstract

Abstract Background Various materials such as fascia, perichondrium, and cartilage have been used for the reconstruction of the tympanic membrane in middle ear surgery. Owing to its stiffness, cartilage is resistant to resorption and retraction. Patients and Methods This study comprised a randomized, controlled trial conducted to analyze the audiological gain when using cartilage grafts in type 1 tympanoplasty compared with temporalis fascia grafts on 60 patients suffering from chronic otitis media after successful tympanoplasty. The follow-up period was at least 6 months. All patients were subjected to audiological evaluation before and at least 6 months postoperatively. Results There was a significant reduction in mean air-bone gap (ABG) in both groups, whereas in group A (fascial graft) the mean preoperative ABG was 25±10.2 dB and the mean postoperative ABG was 13.5±7.3 dB, whereas in group B (cartilage graft) the mean preoperative ABG was 30.6±8.6 dB and the mean postoperative ABG was 15.9±8.7 dB, analyzing the effectiveness of both surgical techniques showed that both were equally effective in reducing ABG from preintervention to postintervention with no statistical significance among both groups (P=0.212). Conclusion Patients who had cartilage grafts showed similar hearing outcomes to those who had fascial grafts after a successful tympanoplasty procedure.