Postoperative Pure-tone Average Air-bone Gap Research Articles

Transmastoid Repair of Otogenic Encephaloceles in Patients With Canal Wall Down Mastoidectomy.

Description of a series of cases in which otogenic encephaloceles in patients requiring canal wall down (CWD) mastoidectomies were repaired via a transmastoid approach. Case series. Tertiary-care hospital. Eleven cases of otogenic encephaloceles in patients requiring CWD mastoidectomy for chronic ear disease. Surgical repair of an otogenic encephalocele using a transmastoid approach. Success of repair, number and size of defects, materials used for repair, complications encountered in surgery, pure tone average air-bone gap (PTA-ABG). Eleven cases were identified. Two of these patients had a prior CWD cavity while the remainder received CWD mastoidectomy simultaneously with encephalocele repair. None of the patients required revision of encephalocele repair. Mean preoperative PTA-ABG was 30 dB and mean postoperative PTA-ABG was 28 dB (p = 0.66). A single-stage strictly transmastoid approach to otogenic encephalocele repair may be effective in patients with prior CWD mastoid cavities or requiring concurrent CWD mastoidectomy for chronic ear disease and/or cholesteatoma.

The practices and philosophies of cartilage tympanoplasty in difficult and challenging circumstances: audiological and morphological perspectives

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> The main objective of the study was to assess the anatomical and functional results of cartilage tympanoplasty using full thickness cartilage graft (with or without perichondrium) reinforced with fascia in high risk situations.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> This prospective non-controlled, non-randomized study included 124 cases of chronic otitis media who underwent cartilage (reinforcement) tympanoplasty (underlay) and ossicular reconstruction with or without mastoidectomy in following seven groups: revision cases, atelectatic cases, subtotal perforation (dry), larger anterior perforations (dry), tympanosclerosis, cholesteatomatous ear, and wet (discharging) ears . Graft success was accepted labelled as an intact graft at the end of six month postoperatively. At the same time, hearing results were also assessed by comparing pre- and post-operative pure tone average air-bone gap (PTA-ABG) of each group using Student “t” test and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant for the hearing outcomes. </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Anatomical success rate in this series was 94.36%. The overall mean pre- and post- operative pure tone average air-bone gap (PTA-ABG) were 31.33±10.41 dB and 19.55±12.04 dB, respectively and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). Best take up rates were observed in atelectatic and tympanosclerotic group i.e., 100% and 96.55% respectively.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> This study discusses the results of cartilage tympanoplasty in specifically indicated seven situation and reveals good anatomic results in each group (minimum success rate was 86.66% in wet ears) and statistically significant differences in mean pre- and post op PTA-ABG in groups except cholesteatoma and wet ear group.</p>

The Utility of Numeric Grading Scales of Middle Ear Risk in Predicting Ossiculoplasty Hearing Outcomes.

To assess the usefulness of numeric grading scales of middle ear risk in predicting ossiculoplasty hearing outcomes. Retrospective review. Tertiary care, academic medical center. Adults and children undergoing ossiculoplasty between May 2013 and May 2019 including: synthetic ossicular replacement prosthesis, autograft interposition, bone cement repair, and mobilization of lateral chain fixation. Cases were scored via middle ear risk index (MERI), surgical prosthetic infection tissue eustachian tube (SPITE) method, and ossiculoplasty outcome scoring parameter (OOPS) scale. Preoperative and postoperative hearing outcomes were recorded. Statistical correlation between risk score and postoperative pure-tone average air-bone gap (PTA-ABG). The 179 included cases had average pre and postoperative PTA-ABGs of 30.3dB (standard deviation [SD] 12.7) and 20.3dB (SD 11.1), respectively. Mean MERI, SPITE, and OOPS scores were 4.5 (SD 2.3), 2.8 (SD 1.7), and 3.1 (SD 1.8), respectively. Statistically significant correlations with hearing outcome were noted for all three methods (MERI r = 0.22, p = 0.003; OOPS r = 0.19, p = 0.012; SPITE r = 0.27, p < 0.001). No scale predicted poor (PTA-ABG > 30dB) outcomes; only low SPITE scores predicted excellent (PTA-ABG < 10dB) outcomes (odds ratio [OR] 0.74 [Confidence Interval: 0.57 - 0.97], p = 0.032). Significant weak correlations between each middle ear risk score and hearing outcomes were encountered. Although only the SPITE method predicted postoperative PTA-ABG, it was not overwhelmingly superior. Current grading scale selection may be justified by familiarity or ease of use.

Robot-based assistance in middle ear surgery and cochlear implantation: first clinical report.

Middle ear surgery may benefit from robot-based assistance to hold micro-instruments or an endoscope. However, the surgical gesture performed by one hand may perturb surgeons accustomed to two-handed surgery. A robot-based holder may combine the benefits from endoscopic exposure and a two-handed technique. Furthermore, tremor suppression and accurate tool control might help the surgeon during critical surgical steps. The goal of this work was to study the safety of an otological robot-based assistant under clinical conditions in a limited series of patients. The RobOtol system has been used as an endoscope or a micro instrument holder for this series. Eleven cases were operated on with the robot as an endoscope holder for chronic otitis. Twenty-one cases were operated on with the robot as a micro-instrument holder for otosclerosis (9 cases), transtympanic tube placement (2 cases), or cochlear implantation (10 cases). No complications related to the robot manipulation occurred during surgery nor in postoperative. In the chronic otitis group, all perforations were sealed and 3-month postoperative pure-tone average air-bone gap (PTA ABG) was 15 ± 2.6dB. In the otosclerosis group, 1-month post-op PTA ABG was 10 ± 1dB. For cochlear implantation cases, a scala tympani insertion, a vestibular scala translocation occurred and a full scala vestibuli insertion was observed in 7, 2 and 1 case, respectively. The RobOtol system has reached the clinical stage. It could be used safely and with accurate control as an endoscope holder or a micro instrument holder in 32 cases.

Outcomes of Primary Pediatric Stapedotomy.

To review a single institution experience with pediatric stapedotomy for juvenile otosclerosis (JO), congenital stapes footplate fixation (CSFF), or tympanosclerosis. Retrospective chart review. Tertiary referral center. Pediatric patients undergoing surgery for stapes fixation from 2001 to 2017. Hearing result based on preoperative, first postoperative, and final postoperative pure-tone average air-bone gap (PTA-ABG). Age, sex, diagnosis, procedure performed, prosthesis, and ossicular anomalies were considered. A total of 59 children (4-16 years of age) underwent surgery for stapes fixation (67 ears), with an average postoperative audiogram out to 2.88 years. Final postoperative ABG for tympanosclerosis (30.4 dB ± 10.9 dB) showed some improvement but the outcome was significantly worse than in CSFF (21.0 dB ± 11.4 dB) (p = 0.020) and JO (22.8 dB ± 14.9 dB). Our data suggest, that in our clinic, surgery for stapes fixation is safe to perform in children. While we achieved desirable results for JO and CSFF, patients with tympanosclerosis showed a statistically worse hearing outcome. Tympanosclerosis deserves special consideration and may be better served with a malleovestibulopexy, total ossicular replacement prosthesis (TORP), or amplification in lieu of traditional stapes surgery.

Short-Term Hearing Prognosis of Ossiculoplasty in Pars Flaccida Cholesteatoma Using the EAONO/JOS Staging System.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic factors for short-term hearing outcomes of ossiculoplasty for primary pars flaccida cholesteatoma according to the European Academy of Otology and Neurotology/Japanese Otological Society (EAONO/JOS) and 2015 JOS staging systems. A total of 34 patients with primary pars flaccida cholesteatoma who underwent one-stage tympanomastoidectomy with partial ossicular reconstruction using double cartilage block were included in the study. The postoperative pure-tone average air-bone gap (PTA-ABG) was calculated, and two criteria of successful hearing outcomes were defined as ≤10 and ≤20 dB. Patients were classified according to the EAONO/JOS and 2015 JOS staging systems. Cochran-Armitage test was used to statistically analyze staging, and Fisher's exact test was used to analyze other factors. Successful hearing outcome with postoperative PTA-ABG ≤10 and ≤20 dB occurred in 23.5% and 55.9% of cases, respectively. When postoperative PTA-ABG ≤20 dB was defined as successful, the success rate significantly decreased with increase in EAONO/JOS stage, and S0 pathological status of the stapes (no involvement) was a significantly favorable predictive factor. When postoperative PTA-ABG ≤10 dB was regarded as successful, the significantly favorable predictive factors were S0 pathological status of the stapes and development of mastoid cells with MC2-3 (better developed cells). Favorable prognostic factors for hearing outcomes of tympanomastoidectomy with partial ossicular reconstruction for primary pars flaccida cholesteatoma were low stage following the EAONO/JOS staging system and no stapes involvement and better development of mastoid cells following the 2015 JOS staging system.

The benefit of trans-attic endoscopic control of ossicular prosthesis after cholesteatoma surgery.

To show the efficiency of using transmastoid atticotomy (TMA) endoscopy on the outcome of ossiculoplasty in patients with cholesteatoma. TMA is often performed as part of the surgical management of patients with middle ear cholesteatoma extending to the epitympanum. TMA can also be used as an access for endoscopic view to confirm the right alignment and stability of the ossicular prosthesis because the reconstruction of the tympanic membrane will obscure the visualization of the prosthesis. A retrospective study was done at a tertiary referral institute, including 133 ears with cholesteatoma that underwent canal wall-up tympanomastoidectomy (CWU) with ossicular reconstruction using titanium prosthesis between August 2013 and August 2015. Post packing of the ear canal and position, stability, and axis of the prosthesis were checked using endoscope positioned in the attic through TMA. A postoperative pure-tone average air-bone gap (ABG) of 20 dB or less was considered as a successful hearing result. Results are compared with historical control groups. Of the 133 ears, 88 patients underwent reconstruction with partial ossicular replacement prosthesis (PORP), whereas the rest (45 patients) had total ossicular replacement prosthesis (TORP). A postoperative ABG ≤ 20 dB was obtained in 77.4% of all the patients (79.5% for PORP; 73.3% for TORP). Endoscopic assessment of the ossicular prosthesis via the attic, after repositioning of the tympanomeatal flap and packing the ear canal, decreases the risk of immediate ossiculoplasty failure and improves the functional outcome after ossicular chain reconstruction in cholesteatoma surgery. 4 Laryngoscope, 129:2754-2759, 2019.

Does Checking the Placement of Ossicular Prostheses via the Posterior Tympanotomy Improve Hearing Results After Cholesteatoma Surgery?

Posterior tympanotomy (PT) is often performed during the surgical management of middle ear cholesteatoma with extension in the retrotympanum area. This PT can also be used to control the right position of the ossicular prosthesis masked by the tympanic membrane reconstruction. To compare audiologic results after ossiculoplasty performed via the outer ear canal and via the PT for patients with cholesteatoma. Retrospective chart reviews were performed for 68 patients (68 ears) with cholesteatoma who underwent titanium ossicular prosthesis surgery between January 2007 and January 2011. We compared audiologic results between two groups: the WPT group (the group without checking the prosthesis via the PT) and the PT group (the group with placing and/or checking the prosthesis via the PT). A postoperative pure-tone average air-bone gap of 20 dB or less was considered a successful hearing result. Of the patients who underwent canal wall-up mastoidectomy for cholesteatoma with ossicular chain reconstruction by titanium prosthesis, 36 patients (20 total ossicular replacement prosthesis [TORP], 16 partial ossicular replacement prosthesis [PORP]) were in the PT group and 32 patients (16 TORP, 16 PORP) were in the WPT group. The global success rate (defined as a mean residual air-bone gap < 20 dB) was 50% in the WPT group (56% in the subgroup PORP, 44% in the subgroup TORP) and 42% in the PT group (62% in PORP, 25% in TORP). There was no case with extrusion of the prosthesis in either group. No facial palsy occurred during the postoperative period for either group. Control of ossicular prosthesis positioning via the PT does not improve hearing results after ossicular chain reconstruction in cholesteatoma surgery. However, this approach can be used during a second-stage procedure that avoids incisions within the external ear canal.

Pediatric cartilage tympanoplasty with primary intubation.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the anatomical and audiologic results in pediatric Type I cartilage tympanoplasties with primary intubation. Our hypothesis was that the outcome of patients with tubes placed would be similar to those without tubes, even though the ears that received tubes were in worse condition. Retrospective chart review of patients undergoing cartilage tympanoplasty with intubation between 2007 and 2012. All surgeries were performed or supervised by the senior author as the surgeon, using a modification of the perichondrium/cartilage island flap. All patients had a tube placed through the cartilage to allow for middle ear aeration. Hearing results were reported using a four-frequency (500, 1,000, 2,000, 3,000 Hz) pure-tone average and a pure-tone average air-bone gap (PTA-ABG). Postoperative complications were recorded. During the study period, cartilage with intubation was used for tympanic membrane reconstruction in 20 patients. Of these, 10 (50.0%) had craniofacial abnormalities, and the remainder had documented Eustachian tube dysfunction with mucoid effusion present at the time of surgery. The average patient age was 8 years, and the average follow-up was 39 months. The average pre- and postoperative PTA-ABGs were 25.1 ± 11.2 dB (standard deviation, SD) and 15.1 ± 10.2 dB (p < 0.05), respectively, and the average pre- and postoperative PTAs were 36.6 ± 12.4 and 24.9 ± 12.0 dB (p < 0.05), respectively. Only one case had to undergo revision, which was a result of a cholesteatoma. Of the 20 patients, 15 still had patent tubes at last follow-up, three had their tubes removed, and two had tube extrusion. Cartilage tympanoplasty with intubation achieves good anatomical and audiologic results when Eustachian tube dysfunction or craniofacial abnormalities are present. Significant hearing improvement was realized in a patient population that is characteristically more prone to problems.

Audiological and otological outcome in Bi-island chondroperichondrial graft type I tympanoplasty

BackgroundThe principal aims of a tympanoplasty operation are to create an intact tympanic membrane and to restore an optimal hearing improvement. Many surgeons have used cartilage for grafting due to its increased stability and resistance to negative pressure. Cartilage has been criticized because of concerns regarding hearing results. ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to present the experience of using cartilage for grafting central perforations in type I tympanoplasty procedure with some novel modifications and evaluate its take rate and audiologic results. MethodsThis is a prospective study including 40 patients (45 ears) who underwent type I cartilage tympanoplasty. All patients are primary cases of chronic suppurative otitis media of tubotympanic type. The following parameters were evaluated at least after 3months from surgery: graft take and change between the pre- and post-operative pure-tone average air-bone gap (PTA-ABG). ResultsThirty-nine patients included in the study underwent 45 cartilage tympanoplasty type I operations. The mean age of the patients was 24.9±9.5years (range, 15–51years). The mean follow up period was 6.2months (range, 3–9months). All perforations were found to be closed with a 100% graft take rate. The overall mean pre-operative PTA-ABG was 26.0±4.4dB, whereas the postoperative PTA-ABG was 13.8±5dB (p<0.0001) which is highly significant. The percent of reduction of PTA-ABG was about 46.6%. ConclusionBi-island chondroperichondrial type I tympanoplasty is an effective and reliable technique with a high success rate and minimal complications.

Canal wall up tympanoplasty for middle ear cholesteatoma in adults: Modeling cartilage

The authors report their experience with a variant cartilage tympanoplasty technique in a canal wall up (CWU) procedure for middle ear cholesteatoma, comparing reliability with other techniques. Functional results are analyzed according to ossicular chain status. A retrospective study was performed in adults operated on with CWU tympanoplasty for middle ear cholesteatoma. The surgical technique of "modeling" cartilage is described. One hundred and nine patients were included (113 procedures). There were four recurrences (3.5%). Mean follow-up was 48 months (range, 24-96 months). In case of normal ossicular chain, postoperative pure-tone average air-bone gap was always less than 20dB, and less than 20dB following myringostapedopexy in 60% of cases with incus destruction. Modeling cartilage is a reliable reconstruction technique to prevent recurrent cholesteatoma, and contributes to the quality of functional results in ossiculoplasty.

Composite Cartilage Island Grafts in Type 1 Tympanoplasty

Tympanoplasty is a surgical procedure used for eradicating chronic middle ear infection and for reconstructing hearing in infected ears. Independent from the graft placing technique, the atrophy and the insufficiency of the graft material would be seen.For cases at high risk for failure, such as recurrent perforations, total perforations, and severely atelectatic tympanic membranes, many surgeons have used cartilage as a grafting material because of its increased stability and resistance to negative middle ear pressure. Various cartilage grafting techniques have been described, including the palisade, cartilage island, and cartilage shield.In our study, we investigated audiological and otological outcomes of tympanoplasty type 1 with composite cartilage island grafts. Between 2004 and 2008, 100 cases of composite cartilage island tympanoplasty were identified. A total of 74 patients were attended to in this study. Graft take was evaluated in all patients, and postoperative complications were noted. Hearing results were analyzed by comparing the preoperative and postoperative pure-tone average air-bone gap. Graft take was accomplished in 72 patients (97.29%). There was no graft lateralization or displacement in the middle ear. The mean postoperative pure-tone average air-bone gap improvement was 20.2 dB at 500 Hz, 23.58 dB at 1000 Hz, 22.23 dB at 2000 Hz, and 24.79 at 4000 Hz.Our study indicates that composite cartilage island tympanoplasty has a high degree of reliability and excellent hearing improvement especially in patients at high risk for graft failure.

Long-term anatomic and functional results of cartilage tympanoplasty in atelectatic ears

The purpose of this study was to analyze the anatomic and functional results of cartilage tympanoplasty performed on atelectatic ears using the palisade technique and to assess the long-term efficacy of cartilage palisades in preventing recurrent retractions. The records of 54 patients (56 ears) who underwent surgery for atelectasis with or without mastoidectomy from January 2000 to August 2005 were retrospectively evaluated. A successful outcome was defined as complete and intact healing of the graft without perforation, retraction, or lateralization for at least 36 months after the operation, in addition to improvement of hearing indicated by a pure-tone average air-bone gap (PTA-ABG) of less than 20 dB. The mean follow-up period was 44.5 +/- 8.0 months (range, 36-68 months). Closure of the tympanic membrane was achieved in 91% of ears. Otomicroscopic evaluation revealed nine (16%) mild and five (8%) moderate retractions, but none of the retractions was deep enough to necessitate tube placement. Postoperative PTA-ABG was less than 20 dB in 71% of ears. The average preoperative and postoperative ABG values, including all types of tympanoplasty operations (Type I, II and III), were 28.4 +/- 5.8 and 16.9 +/- 6.7 dB, respectively (p < 0.001). No significant difference in the change in PTA-ABG was found between the groups with or without mastoidectomy (p > 0.05). Palisade cartilage tympanoplasty is an effective technique for tympanic membrane closure and hearing improvement in atelectatic ears. Mastoidectomy does not change the anatomic or audiologic findings in these types of ears. We recommend this technique to other otologic surgeons.

Cartilage "Shield" Grafts in Revision Tympanoplasty

To report our experience with cartilage "shield" grafts in revision tympanoplasty. Retrospective chart review at a tertiary referral center. Patients underwent revision tympanoplasties by replacing the entire tympanic membrane with concha cymba cartilage shaped as a shield. Successful graft take was defined as having no perforation, graft retraction, or lateralization. Hearing results were analyzed by comparing the preoperative and postoperative pure-tone average air-bone gap and speech discrimination scores. Forty-three patients underwent 46 procedures. Graft take was successful in 43 procedures (93.5%). There was no graft lateralization or displacement into the middle ear. An overall postoperative air-bone gap of 25 dB or less was achieved in 22 of the 39 patients (56.4%), and speech discrimination scores remained unchanged. Cartilage shield tympanoplasty is a reliable procedure for revision tympanoplasty patients, with excellent graft take and significant improvement of hearing.

Cartilage Shield Tympanoplasty: A Reliable Technique

Cartilage shield tympanoplasty is a procedure for repairing total tympanic membrane perforations. This procedure is indicated primarily for patients with total perforations, severely atelectatic tympanic membranes, and failures of previous tympanoplasty associated with chronic eustachian tube dysfunction. Although the graft take of this technique has been reported to be excellent, there have been concerns regarding hearing results because it replaces the entire tympanic membrane with cartilage. The purpose of this study was to report our experience with this technique. Retrospective chart review. Tertiary care hospital: Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia, USA. Between 1998 and 2003, 62 patients were identified who had a cartilage shield tympanoplasty. The patients' ages ranged from 7 to 72 years (mean, 32 years). Therapeutic. Graft take was evaluated in all patients and postoperative complications were noted. In 58 patients, pre- and postoperative audiograms were available and pure-tone average air-bone gaps were compared using the Student's t test. Graft take was accomplished in 61 patients (98.4%) and there were no postoperative complications. The average preoperative and postoperative pure-tone average air-bone gap was 32.4 +/- 14.1 dB and 24 +/- 13.7 dB, respectively (p < 0.005). This study reveals that cartilage shield tympanoplasty has a high degree of graft take, and hearing results are satisfactory.

Retrograde mastoidectomy with canal wall reconstruction: a follow-up report.

To evaluate long-term results of retrograde mastoidectomy with canal wall reconstruction as a single-stage technique for cholesteatoma removal. Retrospective case review. Tertiary referral center. Forty-six patients, representing 50 ears (20 pediatric and 30 adult), who had undergone surgery for cholesteatoma removal with said technique and had an average follow-up of 7.8 years. Temporary removal of the upper canal wall, in association with a retrograde-type mastoidectomy, for full exposure and extirpation of the disease, followed by reconstruction of the canal defect using cymba cartilage. Preoperative and short- and long-term postoperative audiogram, obtained as four-frequency pure-tone average air-bone gap. Complications, including presence of recurrent or residual cholesteatoma, need for tube insertion, perforation, and poor hearing requiring revision surgery, were also reported and correlated with the patient's tobacco use. The average preoperative, short-term postoperative, and long-term postoperative pure-tone average air-bone gap was 25.6+/-11.2 dB, 11.0+/-5.7 dB, and 12.4+/-6.4 dB, respectively. There were significant differences between the pre- and postoperative values (p < 0.5), but there was no significant difference between short- and long-term hearing results. Recurrent cholesteatomas were seen in eight ears (16%); pressure-equalizing tube insertion was performed postoperatively in nine ears (18%); a perforation was seen in one ear (2%); and two ears (4%) had poor hearing results requiring second-look surgery. The long-term complication rate of smokers was 79% (15 of 19), compared with 16% (5 of 31) for nonsmokers. This single-stage technique for cholesteatoma removal and canal wall reconstruction showed acceptable long-term results, but tobacco use was associated with a higher long-term complication rate.

Success of cartilage grafting in revision tympanoplasty without mastoidectomy.

Candidates for revision tympanoplasty have experienced at least one failed attempt at repair of the tympanic membrane and are, therefore, at higher risk for subsequent repair failure. The adjunctive use of mastoidectomy with tympanoplasty in those patients with noncholesteatomatous chronic otitis media is often used to decrease the risk for subsequent failure. However, at this institution, where we use cartilage tympanoplasty, mastoidectomy is rarely performed in the absence of cholesteatoma. Our objective was to assess outcomes in patients undergoing revision tympanoplasty without mastoidectomy using cartilage grafting. We conducted a retrospective case review. Tertiary referral center. A total of 95 patients (42 female, 53 male; 5-81 yr of age) with a recurrent perforation who were treated surgically with cartilage tympanoplasty without mastoidectomy were included in the chart review. Patients must have undergone at least one previous tympanoplasty without mastoidectomy and had to have complete audiologic and chart follow up. An underlay tympanoplasty technique using either a tragal cartilage-perichondrium island graft or palisaded concha cymba cartilage was used. Ossiculoplasty was performed as needed. Main outcome measures were incidence of reperforation of the grafted tympanic membrane, hearing result, and prevalence of other complications. Successful closure without reperforation was obtained in 90 of 95 patients (94.7%). Average postoperative pure-tone average air-bone gap was 12.2 +/-7.3 dB compared with 24.6+/-13.8 dB preoperatively (p <0.001). Revision tympanoplasty with cartilage provided equivalent results to tympanoplasty with mastoidectomy. Thus, mastoidectomy may not be necessary in revision tympanoplasty in the absence of cholesteatoma if the repair is made with cartilage.

Hearing results with cartilage tympanoplasty

Cartilage has shown promise as a graft material to close perforations in the tympanic membrane (TM), particularly in cases of advanced middle ear pathology. Although it is similar to fascia, its more rigid quality tends to resist resorption and retraction. However, it is this rigid quality that has led many to anticipate a significant conductive hearing loss when using cartilage to reconstruct the TM. Because little has been reported in the literature comparing hearing results using cartilage with results using other grafting materials, this retrospective study was conducted to compare the hearing results of patients with cartilage tympanoplasty with results in patients who underwent revision tympanoplasty using perichondrium. Both series of patients had undergone type I tympanoplasty, and the middle ear pathology was considered to be similar between the two groups. TM closure was achieved in all 22 patients undergoing cartilage reconstruction, but three of the 20 patients undergoing perichondrium reconstruction had a recurrent perforation during the follow-up period (approximately 1 year). The average pre- and postoperative pure-tone average air-bone gap (PTA-ABG) was 21.1 dB and 6.8 dB for the cartilage group and 17.9 dB and 7.7 dB for the perichondrium group, respectively. These gains in hearing were statistically significant (P < 0.001 in each case), but there was no statistically significant difference in hearing results between the two groups. Analysis of the PTA-ABG as a function of percentage of TM reconstructed showed no statistically significant difference in hearing results due to percentage of cartilage used. These results indicate that cartilage tympanoplasty offers the possibility of a rigorous TM reconstruction with excellent postoperative hearing results.