Annular Wedge Tympanoplasty (AWT)

Abstract

At the recent Southern Section Triological Society meeting in Williamsburg, Va, Dr Clark Simpson, University of South Alabama, Mobile, presented his and Dr Dennis Pappas' experience with a tympanoplasty technique known as annular wedge tympanoplasty. Dr Simpson described a modified lateral grafting technique that is indicated in near total perforations, perforations of any size where the surrounding drum is poor, or with anterior perforations. He reviewed 108 cases grafted between 1984 and 1987 for a follow-up period of 3 to 7 years. The study patients were limited to those with defects of the drum with no middle ear or mastoid disease that would require ossicular reconstruction or mastoidectomy. Of the 108 tympanoplasties, 105 were successful for a 97% take rate. Of these cases, 57 were primary procedures and 48 were revisions. Complications of the technique were reviewed and were minimal.