A review of 925 cases of tympanoplasty using formaldehyde-formed-fascia grafts

Modified meatotympanoplasty for external auditory canal stenosis and lateralized tympanic membrane: a preliminary study

Background: The surgical treatment of external auditory canal stenosis (EACS) and lateralized tympanic membrane (LTM) is challenging because there is a high risk of postoperative complications.Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the postoperative hearing levels and other outcomes of 10 cases with EACS and LTM.Materials and methods: This was a retrospective preliminary study of patients with EACS and LTM who underwent meatotympanoplasty from 2008 to 2018. Their mean age at surgery was 31.6 years. The surgeries were performed taking into consideration the following: (1) creating a large EAC and functioning tympanic membrane (TM) and (2) avoiding complete mastoidectomy to prevent postoperative cavity problems.Results: The mean follow-up period was 3 years 10 months. The average preoperative and postoperative air-bone gaps (ABGs) were 40.4 dB and 23.0 dB, respectively, and there was a significant difference. A postoperative ABG less than 30 dB was achieved in 80% (8/10) of patients. Four cases had postoperative complications (re-stenosis of the EAC and/or re-lateralization of the TM).Conclusions and significance: The postoperative results presented were comparable to those of previous surgical techniques; however, further development is needed to prevent postoperative complications and earn better hearing results.

Tympanic Membrane Reconstruction using Formaldehyde-Formed Autogenous Temporalis Fascia: Twenty Years' Experience

This study describes 20 years' experience with autogenous temporalis fascia that is formed and shaped by formaldehyde cross-linking with special Fasciaform (Hear America, Palo Alto, Calif.) molds in the repair of large tympanic membrane perforations. One hundred twenty operations in 113 patients were performed between 1973 and 1993 to close large perforations in patients with intact ossicular chains. All perforations were successfully closed by this technique. Audiometric studies indicated that the postoperative air-bone gap was closed to within 0 to 10 dB in 63% and to within 0 to 20 dB in 97%. One patient had a 15-dB sensorineural hearing impairment. Graft lateralization requiring revision occurred in three patients, two of whom had previous unsuccessful tympanoplasties. Comparisons of adult vs. pediatric groups and primary vs. revision groups were made. The technique ensures the removal of any ectopic epithelium on the medial surface of the tympanic membrane remnant and provides for easy graft placement and stability during healing without the use of middle ear Gelfoam (Upjohn Co., Kalamazoo, Mich.). The formaldehyde-formed fascia graft or Fasciaform graft technique provides an effective method of closing large perforations with excellent functional results and minimal complications.