Preliminary results with the use of AlloDerm in chronic otitis media.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: AlloDerm, an acellular dermal graft, has been used successfully as a material for soft tissue implantation. The authors report their experience with the use of AlloDerm in the reconstruction of the tympanic membrane.

STUDY DESIGN

Case review study.

METHODS

Charts were reviewed for all patients who underwent tympanoplasty with and without mastoidectomy between June 1999 and June 2002 in whom AlloDerm was used as a grafting material. There were 24 patients, 17 with simple perforations (8 revisions) and 7 with chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma (6 revisions). Success was defined as closure of the tympanic membrane perforation.

RESULTS

Closure of the perforation using AlloDerm was achieved in 87.5% of the patients (ie, in all but three patients). Another patient developed serous otitis media and required a myringotomy tube in the postoperative period.

CONCLUSIONS

The success rate for AlloDerm in tympanoplasty was similar to that of temporalis fascia in the authors' experience. AlloDerm can provide a suitable grafting material when fascia is not available or when the size of the defect precludes the use of fascia.