Comparative study of underlay tympanoplasty with temporalis fascia and tragal perichondrium

The perforations of the tympanic membrane maybe of traumatic origin or due to chronic suppurative otitis media. If the perforations fail to heal conservatively, they require surgical closure. Autologous graft materials have stood the test of time in repairing tympanic membrane perforations. In our tertiary care institution we conducted a prospective randomized control trial on 50 subjects to evaluate the comparative efficacy of temporalis fascia and tragal perichondrium as grafting material in underlay tympanoplasty. In this study surgical success was evaluated in terms of intact drum membrane during the follow up period and closure of A-B gap within 10 dB. Temporalis fascia achieved a graft uptake of 84% and a satisfactory hearing improvement in 76% of the patients. Tragal perichondrium achieved a success rate of 80% graft uptake and 75% hearing gain. The rates are comparable with no statistical significance of the difference between them. © 2007 Association of Otolaryngologists of India.