Revision myringoplasty with solvent-dehydrated human dura mater (Tutoplast)

Abstract

Objectives: Several grafting materials have been used in the reconstruction of the perforations of the tympanic membrane. The use of dehydrated dura homografts as a substitute for the tympanic membrane has not been fully documented. On the other hand, revision surgery is more critical in terms of patients' expectations. The aim of this study is to determine the tissue stiffness, the compliance, and the wound healing rate of dura homografts in revision surgery of perforations of the tympanic membrane. Study Design and Setting: The charts of 45 patients who have received dura grafts because of re-perforation or failure of the myringoplasty have been reviewed retrospectively. The healing process of the myringoplasty, graft take rate, pure-tone hearing level, and tympanogram were reviewed. Results and Conclusion: It has been concluded that dura homografts, which have excellent tissue-compability, stability, and an 86.7% graft success rate, are preferred in patients in whom their own temporalis fascia cannot be used because of previous operations. It has been demonstrated by tympanometric analysis that the compliance of the graft during various pressure applications is as good as the normal eardrum. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2001;124:518-21.)