Sliced Island Tragal Cartilage Perichondrial Composite Graft in Type I Tympanoplasty: Early Results and Experience

Aim: The purpose of this study is to evaluate anatomical and audiological results using technique of sliced island of tragal cartilage perichondrial composite graft in type I tympanoplasty. Study Design: Prospective study. Methods and Materials: A total of 56 type I tympanoplasties (51 primary and 5 revision ears) were operated using sliced island tragal cartilage graft from December 2011 to August 2012 in M.I.M.E.R Medical College and Sushrut ENT Hospital with a follow up ranging from 6 months to 16 months. Results: Our early results revealed a successful closure of the tympanic membrane in all patients at the end of the follow up period ranging from 6 to 16 months. The average postoperative Air Bone Gap was 10.035+/-1.7473 dB. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first study which involves the modification of the sliced tragal cartilage into island as a sliced tragal cartilage island perichondrial composite graft in tympanoplasty. This technique is reliable not only in terms of successful closure of tympanic membrane perforations but also overall reduction of residual and recurrent perforations.