Underlay tympanoplasty with the graft lateral to the malleus handle

In conventional underlay tympanoplasty the graft is placed medial to the malleus handle. The present study evaluates the results of a modification of this technique, in which the graft is placed lateral to the malleus handle, which has been dissected from the drum remnants. 39 ears with predominantly large or anterior pars tensa perforations were operated upon in this manner. After a median observation time of 20 months one ear was found to have a small reperforation. All ears had normal tympanomeatal angles, but 12 ears showed a small degree of laterofixation of the graft from the malleus handle. Analysis of the hearing showed good hearing improvement and no adverse effects attributable to the dissection of the ossicular chain. It is concluded that the technique is a good alternative to conventional underlay myringoplasty in ears with perforations involving the area anterior to the malleus handle.