Postoperative anatomic and functional results of homograft cartilage tympanoplasty

One of the materials, which have been used to strengthen the graft in tympanoplasty, is cartilage. This clinical trial aimed to assess the anatomic and functional results of homograft cartilage tympanoplasty. METHODS: This clinical trial study was conducted on 40 patients who underwent homograft cartilage tympanoplasty between 2008 and 2011 in Al-Zahra Hospital, Isfahan, Iran. All patients were followed up one month after surgery for recurrent retraction pocket cholesteatoma and re-perforation of the tympanic membrane. Periodic follow up visits were done every 3 months and all patients were followed up at least six months after the surgery. The results of the surgery were determined by otoscopic examinations and audiometric tests. RESULTS: One month after the surgery, there were no cases of retraction pocket, adhesive otitis, recurrent cholesteatoma, membrane re-perforation and cartilage atrophy. 6 months after surgery 20 patients (50%) had a normal tympanic membrane, 15 patients (37.5%) had some degrees of cartilage atrophy that was not associated with pathologic changes, and 5 patients (12.5%) had retraction pocket. Reperforation, recurrent cholesteatoma and adhesive otitis were not observed in any of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study demonstrated that homograft cartilage tympanoplasty is an effective technique for tympanic membrane closure and prevention of retraction pocket cholesteatoma with acceptable hearing results.