Irradiated rib cartilage graft for reconstruction of the tympanic membrane: preliminary results.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the advantages, disadvantages, safety, and results in reconstruction of the tympanic membrane using irradiated rib cartilage.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective chart review.

SETTING

A tertiary referral center.

PATIENTS

All patients who had > or =6 months follow-up who underwent tympanoplasty or tympanomastoidectomy using irradiated rib cartilage graft at our institution from January 1, 1993 to December 31, 1996.

INTERVENTION

Tympanoplasty or tympanomastoidectomy using homologous irradiated rib cartilage as graft material.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Postoperative speech reception thresholds, speech discrimination scores, and air-bone gap were compared with preoperative levels. Complications directly related to irradiated rib cartilage tympanoplasty were sought.

RESULTS

Speech reception threshold did not significantly change. Speech discrimination scores were stable or improved in all patients. Postoperative air-bone gap was < or =10 dB in 43.2% of patients and < or =20 dB in 70.3% of patients. There was a 16% complication rate regarding tympanoplasty in general. No complications unique to irradiated rib cartilage occurred.

CONCLUSION

Irradiated rib cartilage is an alternative tympanoplasty material that may save operating time, spares patients an added incision, provides results similar to other grafting material, and is safe.