[Application of the tragus cartilage ring with perichondrium in open-ended tympanoplasty]

To investigate the effect of the application of tragus cartilage ring with perichondrium in open-ended tympanoplasty and it's long-term results.

The tympanic membrane perforations were treated by the surgery of open-ended tympanoplasty. The tragus cartilage ring with perichondrium autograft in 38 patients with otitis media were adopted in the operation from 1995 to 2000. After operation,the patients were followed up in 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and 3 years.

Of 38 cases, 4 failed but the othershealed in one stage. The successful rate was 89.47%. After 2 weeks, among the 4 cases,2 had grafts crannies and 2 cases were infected. But when they accepted the second operation and after a following up of three years, the successful rate was 100%. Grafts were atrophy in 2 cases after 6 months to 3 years. Before the operation the average air conduction hearing was (45.66+/-8.40)dB HL and the difference between bone and air was less to (26.05+/-8.15)dB HL. From 1 months to 3 years after the operation, the air conduction and bone conduction ware respectively (31.58+/-7.45)dB HL and (19.61+/-6.41)dB HL in 1 month, (26.18+/-7.02)dB HL and (12.63+/-7.59)dB HL in 3 months,(23.55+/-7.70)dB HL and (10.79+/-5.52)dB HL in 6 months,and (23.42+/-6.99)dB HL and (11.05+/-5.95)dB HL in 1 years, keeping at limits of (23.95+/-6.69)dB HL and 10.53+/-5.43 dB HL in 3 years. There were significant differences between pre-operation and post-operation in 1 month,and 3 months. But there were no significant differences after operation in 6 months, 1 year, 3 years and 3 months.

The tragus cartilage ring with perichondrium is of great importance to increase the guality of tympanoplasty and effective rate owing to its reliable technique and material collection.