[Functional plastic surgery of inflamed cavities: the fascination of tympanoplasty].

Reconstructive middle ear surgery was introduced in the early fifties. Kley was one of the first to investigate the applicability of grafts and the functional restoration of the middle ear transformer. He also practiced a combined approach with anterior tympanoplasty and posterior mastoidectomy. On the occasion of his 65th birthday it can be said that his achievements such as the use of fascia for tympanic membrane reconstruction, the systematic stapes elevation etc. have contributed to the success of tympanoplasty.