Cartilage Tympanoplasty - Anatomical and Functional Results

Objective: To describe the anatomical and functional results of Cartilage tympanoplasty. Material and Methods: We realized a transversal descriptive study, involving patients operated by cartilage tympanoplasty in the otolaryngology department University Hospital from January 2015 December 107 patients were involved in this study. All the operations were performed under general anesthesia using the retro auricular approach in 98.1%. In 100 % of the cases, the grafting material was the cartilage. The underlay technique was applied in most of the cases. The anatomical and functional results evaluated over a mean follow-up of nine months are satisfactory. The tympanic closure was obtained in 96 % of cases. As a functional result, a hearing gain between 10 and 30 dB was obtained in 72.9%. Thanks to its resistance, acoustic properties and best long-term anatomical results, cartilage is the material of choice for recurrent perforation, large perforation, uncontrolled shrink pocket, tympanic membrane atelectasis and dysfunction of the Eustachian tube.