Introduction:
For tympanoplasty different autologous, allogenic or xenogeneic grafts, for example,
tragus cartilage, fascia or fascia lata of body donors may be used. By the transcanal
approach, middle ear surgery is performd through the funnel, thus the tragus is not
exposed, so the use of alternative tissue, such as fascia lata, for tympanoplasty
appears advantageous here. In a retrospective study, we examined the tonal-audiometry
results in various tympanoplasties (type I to III).
Material and method:
In a retrospective study, we examined 46 patients (male 24, female 22) at tympanoplasty
type I, II, III the audiological results preoperatively as well as after 6 weeks and
3 months. In addition, the condition of the eardrum was controlled endoscopically.
Results:
A comparison of preoperative and postoperative conductive hearing loss with a three-month
follow-up showed an improvement in the mean hearing loss of 10.16 dB (averaged hearing
thresholds of 250 Hz to 8 kHz, n = 10). In addition, we obtained an endoscopic finding
of the eardrum in all patients, with no reperforation occurring in any case.
Discussion:
During transmeatal surgery, the use of Fascia lata (Tutoplast) as an avital Trasnplantat
of human body, in order to achieve long-term adequate eardrum closure with adequate
hearing improvement. A comparison with tympanoplasty procedures in a comparison group
with perichondrium or composite graft is still planned.
