Perichondrial-cartilage island graft in one stage tympano-ossiculoplasty

A one stage reconstruction of the tympanic membrane and the ossicular chain using a composite graft of tragal perichondrium with cartilage is described (Type III tympanoplasty). The long-term results in 18 operated cases reveals closure of the air-bone gap to within 0 to 10 dB in 72% of the cases. The above procedure used autologous graft material, does not disturb the remaining middle ear structures, can be performed under local anesthesia, and in most cases is done on an outpatient basis.