Cartilage versus Fascia in Pediatric Type 1 Tympanoplasty: Anatomic and Audiometric Results

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the anatomic and audiometric results of type I cartilage tympanoplasty and to compare them with the results of type I fascia tympanoplasty in children. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed of pediatric patients who underwent primary type I tympanoplasty with cartilage or fascia at a tertiary academic center between July 2007 and July 2013. Patients were excluded who underwent concurrent mastoidectomy or ossicular chain reconstruction. Graft acceptance rates were compared between the 2 groups. In addition, preoperative and postoperative audiometric results were compared. Results: One hundred twenty patients were identified for inclusion into the study. The mean follow-up time was 1 year. There was no significant difference between the cartilage and fascia tympanoplasty groups in terms of graft acceptance rate. Audiometrically, there were also no significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of mean pure tone average and speech discrimination score. A significantly higher percentage of patients who underwent cartilage tympanoplasty had a type B tympanogram ( P < .05). Conclusions: In children, cartilage and fascia tympanoplasty have similar results in terms of graft acceptance and hearing outcomes. This study corroborates the findings of other studies, that cartilage tympanoplasty is a safe and effective technique in children.