Comparison of tragal cartilage and conchal cartilage in tympanoplasty

Abstract

Aim and Objectives: The aim and objective of the study are to compare results in terms of graft uptake and hearing improvement in cases undergoing tympanoplasty with the use of conchal or tragal cartilage. Materials and Methods: A total of 74 cases of more than 18 and <50 years of age included in this study, where full-thickness cartilage tympanoplasty was performed. Thirty-seven cases included in Group A where tragal full-thickness cartilage was used and 37 cases included in Group B where full-thickness conchal cartilage was used. Results: Thirty-six (97.3%) cases in Group A and 35 (94.6%) cases in Group B had successful and complete graft uptake in this study. Hearing improvement was found to be better with the cases in Group B than Group A. Conclusion: Full-thickness conchal cartilage and tragal cartilage give good graft uptake results and hearing improvement is significantly better with the use of conchal cartilage.