A Comparative Study of Temporalis Fascia and Tragal Cartilage with Perichondrium in Type 1 Tympanoplasty

Background: Many materials such as fascia, cartilage have been used for the reconstruction of the ear drum. Cartilage retains its rigidity and resists retraction, resorption and reperforation, even in cases with eustachian tube dysfunction. The hearing gain and uptake rate of cartilage is comparable to that of temporalis fascia. Objective: To compare hearing outcome amd graft uptake rate between temporalis fascia graft & cartilage graft. Methodology: A Quazi experimental study was conducted between January 2019-April 2020 in 52 patients who underwent Type 1 Tympanoplasty. 26 patients underwent Cartilage tympanoplasty & 26 underwent tympanoplasty with Temporalis fascia as graft. All patients underwent pure tone audiogram before surgery & 3 months after tympanoplasty and we compared the graft uptake and hearing outcome in both groups. Result: In Group A out of 26 patients who underwent temporalis fascia as graft, 2 patients had residual perforation. In group B out of 26 patients who underwent cartilage Tympanolasty 1 patient had residual perforation. In Group A 11 patients had hearing gain more than 10db. In Group B 12 patients had hearing gain more than 10 db. Conclusion: Temporalis fascia & cartilage perichondrium are equally good as graft material & we should select the graft material according to the cases.