T-tube with tragus cartilage flange in long-term middle ear ventilation

This was a study of the use of tragus cartilage as a flange for a T-tube in the hope of achieving long-term middle ear ventilation. This procedure was performed on 31 ears in 25 patients. Average length of follow-up was 24.2 months, ranging from 6 to 39 months. Five patients had tympanomastoid procedures done in conjunction with the cartilage tube. One of the patients with a tympanomastoid procedure had rejection of the T-tube and cartilage at 11 months postoperatively. None of the tubes without another procedure was rejected.