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

OBJECTIVE

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.

METHODS

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.

RESULTS

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.

CONCLUSION

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.