Comparison between cartilage and fascia grafts in type 1 tympanoplasty

Abstract

Objectives: We retrospectively analysed long-term hearing results and graft take rates in our cases with both temporalis muscle fascia and the cartilage island technique. Methodology: Between September 2000 and October 2011, a total of 489 patients underwent cartilage tympanoplasty, while 318 patients had tympanoplasty using fascia. In this study we included patients with a follow-up period of at least 3 years. Exclusion criteria were ossicular chain defects, cholesteatoma, otorrhoea, middle ear granulation or effusion, and a history of middle ear surgery. Results: The cartilage group consisted of 49 patients, with 28 patients being included in the fascia group. Both air conduction hearing thresholds and air bone gaps improved significantly in both groups. However, no statistical significance was found between the results for the two groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: Our study concurs with many others in the literature, clearly indicating that cartilage produces hearing results that are comparable to temporalis muscle fascia grafts.