Comparative study of sliced tragal cartilage and temporalis fascia in type I tympanoplasty

Objective: To compare anatomical and audiological results using sliced tragal cartilage and temporalis fascia in type I tympanoplasty. Method: A retrospective review was undertaken of primary tympanoplasties using sliced tragal cartilage and temporalis fascia from May 2005 to January 2008. In total, 223 ears were operated on using sliced tragal cartilage graft and 167 using temporalis fascia. Statistical analysis of the outcome data was performed. Results: At the two-year and four-year follow ups, successful closure of the tympanic membrane was achieved in 98.20 per cent and 97.75 per cent, respectively, of the cartilage group compared with 87.42 per cent and 82.63 per cent, respectively, of the temporalis fascia group. At the four-year follow up, the average air-bone gap was 7.10 +/- 3.01dB in the cartilage group and 8.05 +/- 3.22dB in the temporalis fascia group. Conclusion: The overall success rate for primary cartilage tympanoplasty is higher when using sliced cartilage than with temporalis fascia grafting.