The Outcome of Shield Graft Tympanoplasty: A Single Center Descriptive Study at KAMC

Abstract

Cartilage has proven to be a favorable graft material to close tympanic membrane perforations.Objective: In this study we describe our experience with cartilage shield graft tympanoplasty in reconstruction of tympanic membrane perforations.Study Design: A retrospective review was done on 42 patients. The male to female ratio was 19:23 and the age range 11-72 years. Cases varied between Chronic Otitis Media with Dry Perforation and Ossicular Discontinuity and were treated with cartilage shield graft tympanoplasty type I or III, respectively. The correspondingauthor performed all operations over a period of 2 years at the department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at King Abdullah Medical City, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.Methods: Patient and disease information were collectedretrospectively and analyzed. Results: Graft take was achieved in 42 patients (100%).No statistically significant association between the postoperative pure tone average – air bone gap results and age, sex, or type of tympanoplasty was observed (p>0.05).The overall mean preoperative pure tone average – air bone gap was 27.0±10.5 dB, and it decreased to 14.9±7.0 dB 3 months postoperatively. A statistically significant improvement was observed (p<0.001). Conclusion: Excellent graft take results wereachieved and hearing outcomes were satisfactory. Therefore, shield cartilage graft is a valid alternative in all tympanoplasty procedures.