Outcomes following tympanoplasty surgery using porcine-derived small intestinal submucosa.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the outcomes of tympanoplasty surgery using porcine-derived small intestinal submucosa.

METHOD

A retrospective audit was conducted in a hospital setting. Thirty-five adult and paediatric patients who received a small intestinal submucosa graft as part of tympanoplasty surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Patients underwent either simple tympanoplasty (n = 26) or complex tympanoplasty as part of a concurrent otological procedure such as atticotomy and mastoidectomy. The main outcome measures were rate of tympanic membrane closure and change in four-frequency mean air-bone gap.

RESULTS

Thirty-one patients had a follow-up period of longer than two months. Closure was obtained in 22 patients (71 per cent). The mean air-bone gap improved from 20.7 to 12.3 dB HL in the simple tympanoplasty group and from 22.3 to 12 dB HL in the complex tympanoplasty group.

CONCLUSION

Tympanoplasty surgery with small intestinal submucosa is a viable option for patients where autologous graft is not available or in order to minimise donor site morbidity.