Histochemical study of cartilage autografts in tympanoplasty.

Histochemical examination of lactic dehydrogenase enzyme activity was used to detect the effect of certain factors on the viability of cartilage autografts in the middle ear. The study shows that the presence of perichondrium on both sides of the strut and placing the lateral end of the strut increase the chance of survival of chondrocytes. On the other hand, middle ear infection has a very bad effect on the viability of chondrocytes. The length of the strut and the presence of silastic film in the middle ear have been found to be unimportant as far as the survival of the graft is concerned.