A Comparative Study of Temporalis Fascia Graft and Vein Graft in Myringoplasty

Abstract

To compare the surgical outcome of temporalis fascia graft (TFG) and vein graft (VG) in myringoplasty. This prospective study was carried out over 60 patients with inactive tubotympanic type of chronic suppurative otitis media, with small to moderate size central perforation in Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry from November 2009 to March 2011. Patients were equally randomized into two groups; TFG group and VG group according to the graft material used for myringoplasty. After routine investigations, X-ray mastoid and paranasal sinuses and pure tone audiometry, all cases were operated under local anesthesia using underlay technique. Patients were followed at 2week, 1 and 3month postoperatively. Graft uptake, audiological improvement, degree of hearing improvement, and complications were studied during follow up. In TFG group, graft uptake rate was 80% and hearing improvement was present in 66.7% whereas in VG group graft uptake rate was 83.3% and hearing improvement was present in 70%. No patient had deterioration in hearing, sensory neural hearing loss or any other complications postoperatively. Difference between the preoperative and postoperative air bone (AB) gap was considered as degree of hearing improvement. Postoperative AB gap was <10dB in 60 % and 66.7% of patients of TFG group and VG group respectively. The difference in graft uptake rate and hearing improvement between two groups was not statistically significant. Both TFG and VG are equally effective in terms of graft uptake and hearing improvement in myringoplasty.