Tympanoplasty with island cartilage or temporalis fascia: a comparative study

Comparison of temporalis muscle fascia and cartilage grafts for primary type 1 tympanoplasty: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

PURPOSE

To compare the efficacy and safety of temporalis fascia (TF) with cartilage grafts for primary type 1 tympanoplasty in chronic otitis media (COM) patients.

METHODS

Computerized search was performed in MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL. Eligible for inclusion were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing TF and cartilage grafts in individuals with non-cholesteatoma COM and intact ossicles requiring type 1 tympanoplasty. Primary outcomes were graft success and hearing improvement, measured by the air-bone gap (ABG) closure. The secondary outcome was the occurrence of complications. Standardized mean differences (SMD) and odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated.

RESULTS

Eighteen RCTs that enrolled 1273 participants were found eligible. Data were reported at follow-up periods ranging from 6 weeks to 24 months. The pooled effect estimate revealed a higher and statistically significant graft success favoring cartilage grafts at 12 months (OR = 2.24, 95% CI 1.33-3.78) and 24 months (OR = 2.96, 95% CI 1.18-7.43). There was no significant difference between both grafts in post-operative ABG closure across all follow-up periods (6 weeks to 12 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to TF, primary type 1 cartilage tympanoplasty offers better graft uptake rates and comparable postoperative hearing outcomes for COM patients.

Comparison of cartilage and temporalis fascia grafts in type 1 tympanoplasty: A meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the results of type 1 tympanoplasties with temporalis fascia (TF) vs cartilage grafts in patients with chronic otitis media.

METHODS

Eligible studies were identified from PubMed, Ovid, and EMBASE databases prior to November 2021. We analyzed the pure tone audiometry (PTA) and air-bone gap (ABG) data as continuous variables, and the success rate was analyzed as a dichotomous variable.

RESULTS

Forty-four studies, including 4582 patients, were eligible. The cartilage graft overall morphologic success rate was higher than that of the TF grafts (P < .001). In the palisade (P < .004) and island grafts (P < .001) subgroups, the analysis was significantly different. However, there was no significant difference in the inlay butterfly grafts subgroup. For hearing outcomes, the analysis revealed that TF grafts had a smaller mean post-operative ABG (P = .009). However, the subgroup analysis showed no significant difference in the mean post-operative ABG. For PTA, there was no significant difference in hearing improvement. However, the palisade cartilage graft subgroup resulted in a better hearing outcome than the TF graft subgroup in terms of the mean post-operative PTA (P = .007). There was no significant difference in the functional success rate or mean ABG gain.

CONCLUSION

Cartilage grafts have a better success rate than TF grafts in tympanoplasty. Both cartilage and TF tympanoplasty provided similar improvements in hearing outcome, while TF grafts generated a better outcome in post-operative ABG and palisade cartilage grafts in post-operative PTA. This may be related to the biological characteristics of the grafts. Further thorough studies need to be conducted.

A Comparative Study of Temporalis Fascia Graft and Full Thickness Tragal Island Cartilage Graft in Type 1 Tympanoplasty

We aim to compare the functional and anatomical outcomes of temporalis muscle fascia graft with that of full thickness composite tragal island cartilage graft in patients who are undergoing Type 1 Tympanoplasty. This is a prospective study conducted on 60 patients. Patients who underwent type 1 tympanoplasty were included in the study. Patients were divided into Group A (temporalis fascia graft) and Group B (tragal island cartilage) with 30 patients in each. Out of the 60 patients, 18 females and 12 males belonged to Group A, 20 females and 10 males belonged to Group B. The mean age group was between 31 and 40 yrs in both the groups. The mean hearing gain and ABG closure for Group A was 13.83 ± 8.11 and 13.39 ± 7.44 and in Group B it was 11.17 ± 4.06 and 11.5 ± 5. The graft uptake rate of Group A was 90% and Group B was 96.67%. The wound healing rate of Group A was 93.33% and Group B was 100%. The mean duration of surgery in Group A was 97.5 ± 17.16 and in Group B was 81.33 ± 11.14. Both the groups had significant post-operative improvement in hearing. No significant results found between both the groups in terms of hearing gain, air-bone gap closure, wound healing and graft uptake rate except lesser duration of surgery in group B. We conclude that tragal island cartilage graft is a better choice in Type 1 Tympanoplasty.

Shifting from postauricular to transcanal microscopic tympanoplasty may have similar frequency-specific improvements with better air-bone-gap closure at low frequencies and a minimal learning-curve effect

The shift from postauricular to transcanal microscopic tympanoplasty brings potential advantages of minimal morbidity, less postoperative pain, patient comfort, and surgical ease and speed, but also uncertainties of unfamiliar grafting material, an inadequate operation view, and an uncertain learning curve. These challenges might affect the successful repair rate and the frequency-specific hearing outcome, which is important for hearing perception. Rare studies reported frequency-specific hearing outcome with the learning curve for shifting from postauricular to transcanal microscopic tympanoplasty. Here, from Jul. 2013 to Nov. 2018, we compared patients in a shift from postauricular approach (35 ears) to transcanal approach (35 ears) of microscopic type-1 tympanoplasty. The results show that both of postauricular and transcanal microscopic tympanoplasties reduced the mean air-bone gap, 0.5k Hz gap, and 1k Hz gap after the surgery. The further analyses on gap change as a function of frequency (0.5, 1, 2, and 4k Hz) show that both of postauricular and transcanal tympanoplasties improved postoperative air-bone gap among the levels of frequency. The post hoc comparisons display a common gap reduction difference between 0.5k and 4k Hz. The successful repair rate did not differ between the 2 groups. There was no correlation between the postoperative mean gap change and the surgery date, suggesting a minimal learning-curve effect. The results of similar frequency-specific improvements and a minimal learning-curve effect may help to ease the concerns of those uncertainties before the shift.

A Three Point Assessment Protocol for Tympanoplasty Outcomes: A Retrospective Analysis

Introduction  The surgical outcome of chronic otitis media (COM) of the mucosal type in the pediatric population with high rates of recurrent tympanic membrane perforation is indeed a concern for the attending surgeon. Objective  The present study was done to evaluate the outcome of tympanoplasty in children with chronic otitis media mucosal type. Methods  A retrospective analysis of the medical records of all children, aged < 16 years old, who underwent tympanoplasty for COM of the mucosal type was performed. These patients were addressed by a three-point assessment, for predicting outcome of tympanoplasty, which included the age of the patient, addressing the nasal/pharyngeal issues, and the status of the COM (discharging or dry). Surgical success was assessed in terms of graft uptake and improvement of hearing. Factors affecting the surgical outcome were also analyzed. Results  A total of 90 children underwent type 1 tympanoplasty; 7 were lost to follow-up and 10 had incomplete audiometric results. In the 73 tympanoplasties analyzed, graft uptake was seen in 91.7% of the patients. Children with longer duration of ear discharge (> 8 years) had greater hearing loss. Children aged > 8 years old showed statistically significant higher chance of graft uptake ( p  = 0.021). Five of the six children who had graft rejection had bilateral disease. Conclusion  A three-point assessment in the management of pediatric COM of the mucosal type offers good outcomes with post-tympanoplasty graft uptake rates > 90%.

Which graft should be used for the pediatric transcanal endoscopic type 1 tympanoplasty? A comparative clinical study

OBJECTIVES

To compare the functional and anatomical success rates of the fascial versus perichondrial grafts in pediatric endoscopic type 1 tympanoplasties.

METHODS

This retrospective clinical study was conducted on 40 pediatric patients (23 females and 17 males; mean age: 10.0 ± 1.7 years; the age range: 6-13) who were operated with a transcanal endoscopic type 1 tympanoplasty. The study participants were assigned to two groups by graft types. The patients were assigned to either the tragal cartilage perichondrium group (Group A) or the fascia of the temporal muscle (Group B). The groups were compared according to the pre- and postoperative air-bone gaps and to the status of the tympanic membrane.

RESULTS

There were not any statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of the distribution of age, gender, the operation sites, the duration of the operation, MERI scores or the size of the perforation (all p values > 0.05). The graft retention success rates were 94.7% and 90.5% in Group A and Group B, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of the graft retention success rates (p = 0.609). The functional (audiological) success rate was statistically higher in Group B compared to Group A (p = 0.044).

CONCLUSION

Perichondrium and fascia grafts were found out to be acceptable for use in pediatric endoscopic tympanoplasties. The functional success rates were higher in the fascia group. We also recommended the fascia as a graft in pediatric transcanal endoscopic type 1 tympanoplasties.

Comparison of cartilage with temporalis fascia tympanoplasty: A meta-analysis of comparative studies

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the results of type 1 tympanoplasty with temporalis fascia (TF) versus cartilage in patients with chronic otitis media (COM) for graft integration and hearing improvement.

DATA SOURCES

The English language literature (until June 1, 2016) was searched, using Medline (via PubMed), Scopus, ProQuest, Ovid, Cochrane database, and Google Scholar.

REVIEW METHODS

A comprehensive review of the literature was performed. Prospective and retrospective studies enrolling patients with COM were included. Relevance and validity of selected articles were evaluated. Heterogeneity was assessed using I² statistics. For dichotomous variables, absolute rate differences, and number needed to treat (NNT) were calculated. For continuous variables, standard mean differences were calculated.

RESULTS

A total of 11 prospective and 26 retrospective studies involving 3,606 patients were included. In general, the overall graft integration rates of cartilage and fascia tympanoplasty were 92% and 82%, respectively (NNT = 11.1, P < 0.001). Although there was no significant difference in the air-bone gap (ABG) closure of < 10 dB between the two groups, the subanalysis of prospective studies showed that patients in the TF group had less mean postoperative ABG (P = 0.02). Subgroup analysis of palisade grafts compared with that of TF graft revealed a significant difference in the graft integration rate favoring cartilage tympanoplasty (P = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Cartilage grafting seemed to show a higher graft integration rate compared with TF grafting. Both cartilage and fascia tympanoplasty provided similar improvements in the hearing outcome postoperatively. Large prospective trials are necessary to collect high-quality data.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

NA. Laryngoscope, 127:2139-2148, 2017.

Impact of the Degree of the Mastoid Pneumatization on Cartilage Type 1 Tympanoplasty Success

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effect of the degree of the mastoid pneumatization on the success rate of cartilage type 1 tympanoplasty.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective clinical chart review.

METHODS

In total, 90 patients (44 females and 46 males; average age, 38.40 ± 11.12 years; age range: 21-65 years) who underwent cartilage type 1 tympanoplasty were included. Demographics and anatomical outcomes were recorded. The patients were divided into 2 groups in terms of anatomical success. In group A, all patients had intact grafts without perforation, retraction, or lateralization, and a dry ear, at 6 months postoperatively. In group B, reperforation of the tympanic membrane was evident 6 months postoperatively. The mastoid air cell volumes of each groups were compared.

RESULTS

The mean mastoid pneumatization in groups A and B was 5.32 ± 1.96  and 5.06 ± 2.12 cm, respectively. The mastoid pneumatization of diseased ears did not differ between the groups (P > 0.05). The mastoid pneumatization of diseased ears did not differ between males and females (P > 0.05). The mastoid pneumatization of normal ears did not differ between the groups (P > 0.05). The mastoid pneumatization of normal ears did not differ between males and females (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The degree of mastoid pneumatization did not affect the success rate of cartilage type 1 tympanoplasty. Further studies with larger numbers of patients are needed to evaluate the relationship between the degree of the mastoid pneumatization and anatomical outcomes after placement of various graft types.

Preparation and placement of cartilage island graft in tympanoplasty

INTRODUCTION

Cartilage graft tympanoplasty has a better success rate in the treatment of chronic otitis media if regularly prepared and placed.

OBJECTIVE

To prepare cartilage island material and evaluate its effect on the success rate of tympanoplasty.

METHODS

The medical records of 87 patients (48 males and 39 females; mean age, 27.3±11.2 years; range, 14-43 years) with chronic otitis media without cholesteatoma who underwent intact canal-wall-up tympanoplasty and revision surgery between December of 2007 and October of 2011 were retrospectively evaluated. Surgery was performed under general anesthesia via a retroauricular approach.

RESULTS

The overall success rate of this technique was 93% in terms of perforation closure. No graft lateralization or displacement into the middle ear occurred. The overall average preoperative air bone gap was 37.27±12.35 dB, and the postoperative air bone gap was 27.58±9.84 dB. The mean postoperative follow-up period was 15.3 months (range: 7-21 months).

CONCLUSION

If cartilage graft is properly prepared and placed, cartilage graft tympanoplasty appears to provide better success rates and hearing results.

Comparison of temporal muscle fascia and cartilage grafts in pediatric tympanoplasties

OBJECTIVE

To compare anatomic and functional outcomes of the different graft materials used in pediatric tympanoplasty.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The patients younger than 18 years of age and who had tympanoplasty between 2010 and 2012 were included in the study. Temporal muscle fascia or cartilage was used as the graft material. The age, gender, the side of the operated ear, the operation technique, pre- and postoperative audiological results, and the status of the graft were noted. An intact graft and an air-bone gap (ABG) ≤ 20 were regarded as surgical success in the postoperative period. Audiograms obtained before surgery and 1 year after surgery were used for the comparison.

RESULTS

Sixty pediatric cases were included in the study. Fascia graft was used as the graft material in 35 of them, and cartilage was used in 25 patients. The graft success rate was 82.9% in the fascia group while it was 92% in the cartilage group. In the fascia group preoperative ABG was 28.2 ± 10.1 dB, postoperative ABG was 15.1 ± 10.2dB, and postoperative gain was 13.1 ± 9.6 dB. In the cartilage group, preoperative ABG was 28.9 ± 10.2dB, and postoperative ABG was 16.8 ± 10.3 dB with a postoperative gain of 12.1 ± 6.8 dB. The differences between the fascia and the cartilage groups were not statistically significant either for hearing gain or graft success rate.

CONCLUSION

Cartilage and fascia grafts yield similar results for hearing gain and graft success rate in pediatric tympanoplasty.