[The role of areolar tissue on otologic surgery]

Areolar tissue is a loose conjunctive tissue, located between the fascia temporalis superficialis and the temporal aponeurosis. It can be used in several circumstances during otologic surgery. First, in stapes surgery, it can be used as an interposition between the piston and the platinotomy. Its thickness has no equivalent in comparison with other temporal tissues, explaining in part its usefulness in this indication. In perilymphatic fistula surgery, the areolar tissue is especially recommended for round window and oval window grafting because of its spontaneous adhesive capacity. It can be useful in myringoplasty, to reenforce an atrophic tympanic membrane or to close a small perforation. Also areolar tissue can be used as a flap or as a free graft to reconstruction of the external acoustic meatus. It's a good conjunctive support, which can be covered by skin graft. Finally areolar tissue is an interesting and useful material for otologic surgery. Its qualities are complementary to those of the temporal aponeurosis.