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I encountered an ovoid mass that blocked the opening of a patient's right ear, and initially thought that it was an accessory tragus. Unusually, the cyst had developed on the tragus of the ear and was pedunculated with a linear stalk from the tragal cartilage. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first report of a dermoid cyst that involved the tragal cartilage, and was completely excised.

Maintaining structural integrity during rhinoplasty often necessitates adding support to the nose. Autologous grafting material is the safest and most reliable source of this structural support. A variety of sources in the body can serve as donor sites for such grafts. The most common sites are septal cartilage, auricular conchal cartilage and rib cartilage. Less common sites include tragal cartilage, calvarial bone and iliac bone. This article reviews the surgical techniques for accessing, harvesting, and modifying these grafts for use in rhinoplasty.

Cartilage has shown to be a promising graft material to close tympanic membrane perforations. However, due to its rigid quality, doubts are raised regarding its sound conduction properties. It has been suggested that acoustic benefit may be obtained by thinning the cartilage. We describe our innovative method for harvesting tragal cartilage from the same endaural incision and also describe preparation of the graft by slicing it. We present our 3-year experience of shield cartilage type 1 tympanoplasty using sliced tragal cartilage–perichondrium composite graft. Aim The aim of this study was to prove the success rate of our technique of shield cartilage tympanoplasty using sliced tragal cartilage graft in terms of functional and anatomic results. Study design Retrospective analysis of type 1 cartilage tympanoplasties using sliced tragal cartilage was carried out in MIMER Medical College and Sushrut ENT Hospital during May 2005 to January 2008 with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Method and materials A total of 223 ears were operated by our technique. Results The overall success rate of our technique was 98.20% in terms of perforation closure and air bone gap closure within 7.06 ± 3.39 dB. The success rates in the various age group are as follows: 11 to 20 years, 97.67%; 21 to 40 years, 99.12%; and 41 to 60 years, 96.96%. Conclusion Our technique of type 1 cartilage tympanoplasty achieves good anatomic and functional results.

Background: The endoscope has diagnostic and therapeutic role in different otological surgeries. It has excellent view of images where there are difficult nooks and corners. The use of sandwich cartilage perichondrium in the repair of tympanic membrane peroration has its own benefit in graft uptake and hearing results whether long term or short term. The main purpose of the present study was to evaluate the long-term hearing results in patients who underwent endoscopic sandwich myringoplasty with Dhulikhel Hospital (D-HOS) technique. Materials and Methodology: This was a prospective, cohort study performed among 45 patients who underwent endoscopic sandwich myringoplasty with D-HOS technique using tragal cartilage and perichondrium. The hearing was assessed by comparing pre- with post-operative air-bone gap (ABG) and ABG closure in speech frequencies (0.5 kHz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz, and 4 kHz). Results: Among forty-five patients, 42 (93.3%) had graft uptake in 12 months of follow-up. The postoperative ABG (17.0 ± 8.5 dB) was lesser than preoperative ABG (27.3 ± 12.5 dB) with statistically significant results. Conclusion: Endoscopic sandwich myringoplasty with D-HOS technique is a safe procedure with high-graft uptake rate and good long-term hearing results.

Background: Various graft materials have been used to repair tympanic membrane perforations. Temporalis fascia and cartilage with or without perichondrium are the most commonly used materials. The objective of the study was to compare the anatomical and functional success in type I tympanoplasty by using cartilage- perichondrium graft with that of temporalis fascia in a homogenous group of population.Methods: 64 patients with chronic otitis media - mucosal type were included in the study. This prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted at a tertiary care centre between December 2012 to October 2014. Patients were grouped randomly between temporalis fascia (34/64) and cartilage group (30/64). In the fascia group, the graft was placed by underlay technique. In the cartilage group, tragal cartilage was thinned by cartilage thinner keeping the perichondrium attached on one side. The graft was placed by underlay or over-underlay technique. Postoperative results i.e. graft take up (anatomical success) and hearing improvement (functional success) were evaluated at 6 months. Results: Graft take up rate was 94.11% for fascia group and 96.66% for cartilage group. The mean pure tone air bone gaps pre and postoperatively in the fascia group were 26.4±6.55 dB and 11.47±6.5 dB respectively, whereas for cartilage-perichondrium group, the values were 28.3±5.86 dB and 13.2±6.48 dB respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the graft take up rate and postoperative hearing improvement between the two groups (p≥0.05).Conclusions: Cartilage with perichondrium can be considered as an alternative to more traditional grafting material for tympanic membrane reconstruction.

Background: The most frequently used technique for the repair of TM perforation is underlay grafting of temporalis fascia in normally ventilated middle ears. In advanced middle ear pathology, large perforations, atelectatic drum or retraction pockets, temporalis facia may cause higher failure rates. In such cases, a more rigid grafting material such as cartilage is preferred because of its increased stability and resistance to middle ear pressure even in cases with chronic eustachian tube dysfunction.Methods: This is a prospective randomized study design on comparison of temporalis fascia and cartilage as graft in patients of CSOM with subtotal perforation. 80 patients, divided randomly into two groups with equal patients, with tragal cartilage (group 1) and temporalis fascia (group 2) as graft. Follow up done at post-operative 3rd week and 3rd month for graft acceptance as well as graft health. Audiometric evaluation was conducted at 3rd month. The data obtained was subjected to appropriate statistical analysis using SPSS version 20. Results: Graft uptake rate in group1 and 2 was 93.75% and 90%. The mean AB gap improved in group1from 36.38±6.10 dB to 18.13±5.84 dB. Similarly in group 2 it improved from 28.73±5.82 dB to 15.23±8.14 dB; showed statistically highly significance in both groups (pConclusions: Composite tragal perichondrium graft delivers an excellent audiologic outcome comparable to temporalis fascia graft specially where medialization of graft is expected. It gives ENT surgeons a reliable armamentarium in tympanoplasties for subtotal perforation.

Background Cleft palate is one of the most common congenital anomalies of the head and neck worldwide. In addition to the evident feeding and growth problems, patients are involved with and suffer from speech, hearing and dental problems. Many surgical techniques and modifications have been advocated to improve functional outcome and aesthetic results, aiming at normal speech, minimizing growth disturbances, and establishing a competent velopharyngeal sphincter. Despite the variety of techniques described for repair of the clefts, there is still a relatively high incidence of postoperative fistula reaching up to 35%. This is mainly related to type and degree of the defect, and type of surgical repair. Objectives To evaluate the efficacy of placement of tragal cartilage free graft between the oral and nasal mucosal layers of the neo-palate in improving success rates, and anatomical and functional outcomes in repair of cleft palate with reduction of the extent of dissection. Patients and methods Fourteen patients were managed by our technique, only in large cases minimal von Langenbeck lateral release incisions were made. In all cases a tragal cartilage graft was interpositioned and fixed to the muscle layer of the neo-palate, 2–3 extramucosal trans-muscle sutures were placed for 3–4 weeks if needed, and the patients were followed up for a minimum of 12 months during which functional and anatomical assessments were done. Results Results, including both anatomical and functional outcomes, were favorable with no gross failures, permanent significant fistula formations (one case with minor non-significant fistula), nor donor site co morbidities. Conclusion The use of tragal cartilage free graft to augment the area at the junction between the hard and soft palate appears to be a safe and effective method in repair of cleft palate that reduces the incidence of postoperative palatal fistulae, without donor site comorbidities.

Background: Temporalis fascia and cartilage are the most commonly used graft materials, though contradictory reports are available in literature as regards their efficacy. The purpose of this study was to compare graft acceptance and auditory outcomes of tympanoplasty using cartilage versus temporalis fascia as graft material.Methods: This prospective study included 40 consecutive cases of chronic otitis media in a tertiary care centre randomised in two groups of 20 patients each to be subjected to tympanoplasty using either tragal cartilage-perichondrium or temporalis fascia graft from January 2011 to November 2012. Graft uptake rates and subjective as well as objective hearing improvement at 2 months and 6 months postoperative follow-up were compared. Results: The mean age of presentation was 34.4 years (range 15-60 years). At 2 months post operatively, the graft uptake was better with tragal cartilage group (95%) than temporalis fascia (90%), while at the end of 6 months graft uptake was better with temporalis fascia (75%) compared to tragal cartilage (70%). Hearing improvement was better for tragal cartilage group compared to the temporalis fascia group at both 2 months and 6 months follow-up. The subjective improvement in hearing at the end of 6 months was also better for tragal cartilage- perichondrium group than the temporalis fascia group.Conclusions: Both temporalis fascia and tragal cartilage–perichondrium are suitable graft materials for tympanoplasty. Graft uptake was superior with temporalis fascia, while hearing improvement was better with tragal cartilage- perichondrium, although the results were not statistically significant.

Objective To describe a simple technique for harvesting tragal cartilage and describe its use in rhinoplasty. Study Design Retrospective review. Subjects and Methods Rhinoplasties performed between January 2005 and June 2007 in which tragal cartilage grafts were utilized by the senior author (CSC) were reviewed to assess type of graft, preservation of tragal contour, and donor-site morbidity. Results Tragal cartilage grafts were used in three primary and three secondary rhinoplasty patients. Postoperative follow-up ranged from six months to 12 months. Tragal cartilage was used as five alar contour grafts, one lateral crural onlay graft, one dorsal onlay graft, and one infratip lobule graft. Tragal cartilage was used to close the septal perforation of one patient. Tragal contour was preserved in all patients, and there were no complications noted with this procedure. Conclusion The tragus provides a simple, convenient alternative source of cartilage for rhinoplasty in graft-depleted patients.

We conducted a cadaveric study to determine the size of cartilage grafts that can be taken from the tragus without distorting tragal anatomy. Our subjects included 7 fresh cadavers—3 male and 4 female (age at death: 61 to 87 yr). Tragal cartilage grafts were harvested while leaving the lateral 3 mm of the tragal cartilage in situ to preserve the anatomic shape of the tragus. The grafts were measured and their dimensions recorded. The craniocaudal dimensions of the tragal cartilages ranged from 15 to 30 mm (mean: 21.6), and the width of each specimen ranged from 10 to 23 mm (mean: 15.3). The thickness of the cartilage was approximately 1 mm. The grafts were slightly curved along their long axis. We also review the literature regarding the dimensions of different grafts used in rhinoplasty, knowledge of which can help in preoperative planning. Tragal cartilage grafts have been used as shield, alar contour, alar batten, lateral crural onlay, dorsal onlay, and infratip lobule grafts. When a straight and/or thick graft is needed, two strips of tragal cartilage can be sutured in a mirror-image configuration.

Background:Cartilage-perichondrial grafts are often used for tympanic membrane and middle-ear reconstructions. Tragal and conchal cartilages are most frequently used for this purpose. Studies have shown that slicing the cartilage to less than 0.5 mm thickness improves acoustic benefit. However, the thickness of the cartilage in a given population may not be uniform.Objective:This descriptive cross-sectional study aimed to determine the average thickness of tragal cartilage (in terms of age and sex) in an Indian population.Method:A prospective study of 61 tragal cartilages harvested during serial tympanoplasty and modified radical mastoidectomy were analysed according to thickness.Results:The total average thickness of tragal cartilage was 1.228 ± 0.204 mm in males and 1.090 ± 0.162 mm in females. The overall thickness was 1.018 ± 0.139 mm in those aged less than 15 years, 1.139 ± 0.238 mm in those aged 15–30, and 1.189 ± 0.155 mm in those aged over 30 years.Conclusion:The findings help us to determine age-related cartilage thickness for slicing techniques in tympanoplasty.

Background In children, the success of myringoplastywith temporalis fascia is lower compared to adults and cartilage as an alternative graft material has shown higher success rate. Objective To compare results of myringoplasty using tragal cartilage palisades with the use of temporalis fascia in children with large tympanic membrane perforations. Materials and methods This is a prospective and randomized study conducted in children of age 6–14 years with large tympanic membrane perforation of more than two quadrants. Status of graft at or around 6 weeks after surgery was used as morphological outcome measure. Pre- and postoperative audiograms were compared to evaluate audiological outcome in two groups. Results Forty seven out of 55 patients completed follow-up. The graft uptake rate in the cartilage palisades and temporalis fascia myringoplasty group was 91.3% (21/23) and 83.33% (20/24), respectively; the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.666). The mean preoperative air-bone gaps (ABG) in cartilage palisades and temporalis fascia group were 36.2 ± 8.9 dB and 33.8 ± 7.5 dB, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.412). Similarly, the postoperative ABG in cartilage palisades and temporalis fascia group were 25.1 ± 12.2 dB and 17.2 ± 9.2 dB, respectively, the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.040). The gap closure was 11.0 dB in palisades group and 16.8 dB in fascia group, but it was not significant (P = 0.133). Conclusion In our study of pediatric myringoplasty, the morphological and functional outcomes in both cartilage palisades and temporalis fascia groups were comparable.

The major drawback of combined approach tympanoplasty (CAT) is a relatively high rate of cholesteatoma recurrence compared to open-cavity techniques, which is thought to occur primarily by recurrence of retraction pockets. In this series of 63 CATs carried out by one surgeon, scutum reconstruction to prevent recurrent attic retraction was carried out in 43 cases. Repair with bone pate proved much more successful in achieving this (20.7%; 6/29 recurrent retraction pockets) compared to tragal cartilage (57.1%; 8/14) (Fisher's exact test, P = 0.0205) and was found to be a result of the greater incidence of cartilage resorption. Recurrence of retraction in pars tensa defects was more common as the only material used was a simple temporalis fascia graft. The mean time to development of recurrences was 21.1 months and that has important implications for follow-up. We conclude that the use of bone pate for scutum reconstructions reduces the incidence of attic retraction pockets, and therefore the risk of cholesteatoma recurrence following CAT.

Context: Cartilage has proven to be an excellent graft material inside the middle ear. The use of cartilage for tympanic membrane grafting may provide additional benefits in some difficult situations. Aims: The study was planned to evaluate the graft uptake and hearing after placement of “boomerang-shaped chondroperichondrial graft” in Type I tympanoplasty. Settings and Design: The prospective study was conducted on 40 patients having chronic suppurative otitis media with no active disease at least for last 6 weeks in a tertiary care center of North India. Patients having cholesteatoma and ossicular erosion/or necrosis were excluded from the study.Subjects and Methods: Those patients underwent tympanoplasty Type I by postaural approach and underlay grafting using “boomerang-shaped chondroperichondrial graft” from tragal cartilage and were followed up for 3 months. Hearing evaluation was performed preoperatively and postoperatively after 3 months. Statistical Analysis Used: The mean, range, and standard deviation of air conduction and air-bone gap were calculated and compared with preoperative findings. Results: The mean age of study group was 26.23 ± 12.46 years. Ear discharge (100%) and hearing impairment (87.5%) were the chief presenting complaints. The mean duration of ear discharge was 6.67 ± 6.75 years. Type I tympanoplasty was performed in all cases using “boomerang-shaped chondroperichondrial graft” harvested from tragal cartilage. Graft was taken up at the 3rd month in all patients. The preoperative mean air conduction was 43.21 ± 7.17 dB, which at the 3rd month improved to 36.49 ± 6.60 (P = 0.00004). Preoperative mean air-bone gap was 25.45 ± 8.44 dB which was improved to 19.31 ± 8.18 dB postoperatively at the 3rd month (P = 0.0014). Conclusions: Boomerang-shaped chondroperichondrial graft has excellent “take rate” in Type I tympanoplasty.

To compare the results, in terms of graft uptake and hearing improvement, of modified cartilage shield technique of tympanoplasty using either partial thickness tragal cartilage or full thickness tragal cartilage for type I procedures. 35 patients were included in group A where a partial thickness tragal cartilage was used and 27 patients included in group B where a full thickness tragal cartilage was used for modified cartilage shield tympanoplasty. Audiometry done at 4 months after surgery and the results compared. The graft take up rate for both these techniques is excellent. There had been no statistically significant difference in hearing gain between these two groups, except at 4,000 Hz, where hearing gain had been more in group A than group B with P value being 0.027. The modified cartilage shield tympanoplasty is a good technique for closure of tympanic membrane perforations. Hearing gain is very much similar between thin and thick cartilage groups, except at 4,000 Hz.

Objectives:Evaluate the anatomical and audiological results of the endoscopic tympanoplasty with tragal perichondrium graft.Methods:A case series in patients with chronic otitis media, treated with transcanal endoscopic tympanoplasty by the under-over technique. Patients were followed six months post treatment with clinical and audiometric evaluations in the Department of Otolaryngology, National Hospital Arzobispo Loayza, Lima - Peru between 2007 and 2011.Results:Of a total of 64 patients, 31 met the inclusion criteria. 20 were males (64.5%) and the mean age was 27.5 years. The left ear was the most affected with 61.3%. Only 12.9% had retraction pocket. Perichondrium graft was used in 87.1%, and tragal cartilage with perichondrium with the others. There was complete closure of the perforation in 93.5% and only 2 complications, infection and perforation. The difference of the mean of the audiometries by air previous (39.1 ± 5.8) and posterior (30.2 ± 7.2) of surgery was significant (P = 0.0001). The diffe...

A study of mastoid cavity obliteration by autogenous bone pate (Mastoid Osteoplasty) was carried out on 20 cases of chronic suppurative otitis media of atticoantral type. After thorough eradication of cholesteatoma autogenous bone pate (uninfected) was used alongwith tragal cartilage for obliteration of mastoid cavity and reconstruction of the posteorosuperior meatal wall. 10 (50%) cases resulted in dry stable ear at the end of six months. Relevant literature on the subject has been reviewed and long term follow up is recommended.

Background: There are several studies on the efficacy of the commonly used temporalis fascia for myringoplasty where the temporalis fascia is placed by underlay method after incising external canal wall skin. This study was conducted assess the success rate and efficacy of use of a composite chondro-perichondrial graft in a combined overlay-underlay fashion where the external canal wall is not incised. Methods: A prospective study was conducted where 30 cases of non-marginal perforation of tympanic membrane were properly selected based on the inclusion criteria. All the 30 cases underwent myringoplasty using composite chondro-perichondrial graft harvested from tragal cartilage and placed in a combined overlay-underlay fashion. Results: There was complete closure of the perforation in 27 of the total 30 cases. Also there was reduction in the air-bone gap post-operatively in all the 27 cases with complete closure of the tympanic membrane perforations. Conclusions: Composite chondro-perichondrial clip myringoplasty is an effective method of closing non-marginal perforations of the tympanic membrane.

Objective: To see the efficacy of cartilage tympanoplasty in retraction pockets of tympanic membrane.Method: Prospective study conducted from 2009 to 2010. Disease studied: Retraction pockets in tympanic membrane. Subjects studied: Twenty. Setting: Tertiary care center. Interventions: The retraction pockets were excised and cartilage tympanoplasty using tragal cartilage and perichondrium was performed. Graft take-up, hearing improvement was noted and statistical significance was calculated.Results: Patients were followed up for a period of 6 months. Graft take-up was seen in 16 (80%) cases with residual perforation in 2 cases and recurrence of retraction pockets in 2 cases. The average preoperative hearing loss was 39.50 + 1.44 decibels, while the average postoperative hearing loss was 26.75 + 1.86 decibels, with a gain of 12.75 decibels (P value less than .01).Conclusion: Retraction pockets management by excision and cartilage tympanoplasty provides the tympanic membrane with greater strength and greatly...

Objective: 1) To evaluate 3 methods: conchal cartilage, tragal cartilage, and bone pate, for primary attic reconstruction (scutumplasty) in pediatric canal wall-up mastoidectomies in terms of recurrence rates and formation of retraction pockets.Method: All patients undergoing attic reconstruction following a canal wall up mastoidectomy were evaluated from a single surgeon prospective pediatric otological database maintained over a 10-year period. The reconstruction of the scutum defects was done using bone pate, conchal and tragal cartilage. The outcome measures were postoperative retraction pocket formation and recurrence of cholesteatoma.Results: A total of 120 patients underwent primary attic reconstruction following canal wall-up mastoidectomy over a 10-year period. The overall recurrence rate was 9.83% (n = 12). Fifty-one patients underwent attic reconstruction with tragal cartilage, while 33 were reconstructed using conchal cartilage and 36 with bone pate. The recurrence rate with various reconstruc...

The use of cartilage grafts in tympanoplasties is recommended in cases with a higher probability of failure. Many grafting techniques have been reported, including palisade, cartilage island, and cartilage shield grafts. Cartilage minimizes the inflammatory tissue reaction, ensures resistance against infection during the recovery process, and provides good support against the retraction by virtue of its rigidity.This study compared the anatomic and functional results of conchal cartilage, tragal cartilage, and temporal muscle fascia grafts in primary type 1 tympanoplasty. Between January 2007 and January 2011, 79 patients with subtotal dry tympanic membrane perforation and an intact ossicular chain underwent primary type 1 tympanoplasty in our clinic. The postoperative perforation closure ratios, air and bone pure tone averages, and mean air-bone gap (ABG) in the 3 groups were compared with the preoperative values. The improvement in the mean ABG was assessed.The perforation closure ratio was 80.6%, 100%, and 88.5% in the muscle fascia, conchal cartilage, and tragal cartilage groups, respectively, and the mean increase in the ABG was 5.7, 8.9, and 9.7 dB, respectively.The island graft with cartilage perichondrium, which has recently become popular, can be also used in type 1 tympanoplasty. Because it does not require a second incision, conchal cartilage can be used routinely in tympanoplasties performed via a postauricular approach.

Auricular cartilage is an important source of grafts for various reconstructive procedures such as aesthetic rhinoplasty. The purpose of this investigation was to compare tragal cartilage with auricular cartilage harvested from the concha and scapha, and describe its clinical viability, indications, and morbidity in rhinoplasty. A total of 150 augmentation rhinoplasties with a total of 170 grafts were included. The donor sites were tragus (n=136), concha (n=26), and scapha (n=8). The time needed to harvest the grafts, the donor site morbidity, and the indications for operation were recorded. The anthropometric changes to 4 auricular variables after the cartilage had been harvested were analysed and compared with those on the opposite side in 48 patients using Student's paired t-test. Intraobserver reliability was assessed using Pearson's intraclass correlation. The mean (SD) harvesting time was 27 (8) min for the concha, 4.5 (1.4) min for the tragus, and 5.7 (1.6) min for the scapha. The largest graft was taken from the concha (28×19 mm), followed by the tragus (20×12 mm), and the scapha (18×6 mm). The grafts were placed at the following sites: tip grafts (n=123), columella struts (n=80), shield (n=20), rim (n=17), and dorsal onlay (n=15). Harvesting tragal cartilage is safe, simple, fast, and has a low morbidity, but it can affect the patient's ability to wear earphones. Tragal cartilage is a good alternative for nasal reconstruction if a graft of no longer than 20 mm is required.

To the editor, Cartilage or cartilage-perichondrium composite in various forms has been frequently used as graft material to repair the defects left by chronic otitis media; and the tragus is the major site to harvest the needed cartilage [1, 2]. Usually, the harvest is achieved through an additional incision on the lateral or posteromedial of tragal tip [2, 3]. In our experiences of transcanal otosurgery, we found that tragal cartilage could also be obtained conveniently through only endaural incision which was also the access of main otosurgery. Here we present our method.

Introduction: The influence of age on threshold changes of bone conduction after stapedectomy has not been thoroughly studied. Improvement of the Carhart notch by stapes surgery might be related to age as well as an increase in cochlear sensitivity to surgical trauma. Patients and Methods: A retrospective study on the outcome of stapedectomy was undertaken. The results of surgery performed on 387 ears in 315 patients for otosclerosis between 1962 and 1989 were obtained. Stapedectomy, performed by a single surgeon, consisted of total stapedectomy, seal of the oval window with tragal perichondrium, and insertion of a free tragal cartilage graft. Results: Analysis of bone conduction changes with stapedectomy shows an average improvement of 5 to 6 dB at 0.5, 1, and 2 kHz with best improvement at 2 kHz. At 4 kHz a mean decrease of 4 dB is recognized. The improvement of bone conduction at 2 kHz is 12 dB in patients younger than 30 years compared with 4 dB in patients older than 60 years (P < .05). The youngest group was improved by 2 dB at 4 kHz, whereas the oldest group deteriorated by 5 dB (P < .05). Age relationship was apparent in all 4 frequencies. Concluslons: With increasing age there is less improvement in bone conduction at 0.5, 1, and 2 kHz with correction of the Carhart notch and more deterioration at 4 kHz. The cochlear sensitivity to surgical trauma increases with age. In younger patients the preoperative bone conduction levels do not reflect the true cochlear reserve. Patients younger than 40 years of age might profit more from a partial or total footplate removal in stapedectomy, as this better corrects the Carhart notch. Patients older than 40 years of age might profit more from a stapedotomy as this better preserves high frequencies.

The isolated malleus-handle fracture is a rare ossicular injury and tends to be overlooked when the tympanic membrane appears normal. Various surgical attempts have been made to correct this fracture; however, these techniques largely relied on xenograft implantation materials; the autologous cartilaginous graft application has never been reported. Herein we describe a simple, rapid, and effective method that uses available tragal cartilaginous graft to repair an isolated malleus-handle fracture. Our approach offers a reliable choice to restore continuity of the ossicular chain and produce a more satisfying, subjective hearing ability in this uncommon fracture situation.

ObjectiveTo report a modified technique of cartilage reinforcement tympanoplasty. To assess the safety and efficacy of this technique for symptomatic tympanic membrane retractions.MethodsRetrospective analysis of patients with Pars Tensa retractions treated surgically between 2001 and 2007. The indications were discharge and hearing loss. Surgery involved excision of retracted segment, exposure of facial recess, removal of keratin and reinforcement with thinned tragal cartilage graft (cartilage thinned by cartilage cutter) and temporalis fascia. Paired T test was used to compare the mean ABG before and after surgery.Results34 ears were operated on in 33 patients with an age range of 8 to 66 (mean 38). Full extent of the retraction was visible (Moderate) in 12 ears and not visible in 22 ears (Severe). Cholesteatoma was found in 10 ears (all in Severe group) and ossicular erosion was noticed in 29 ears. Follow-up ranged from 12 to 66 months (mean of 36 months). The success rate was 97% with recurrence of re...

There has been renewed interest in the use of cartilage for middle-ear reconstructions. The aim of the present review is to examine the indications, techniques and surgical outcomes of cartilage tympanoplasties reported in the literature. There have been concerns regarding weakening of cartilage struts, from histological studies involving explants; as a result, cartilage struts for ossiculoplasty have not gained popularity. On the other hand, cartilage tympanoplasty is now an established procedure for tympanic membrane and attic reconstruction. The commonest techniques involve cartilage palisades and composite cartilage–perichondrial island grafts. There are many variations on the shape, size and thickness of the cartilage grafts. The perceived benefit of cartilage tympanoplasty is to prevent retraction pockets at the grafted site, even though many otologists accept that this technique may not deal with the causal factors involved in the retraction process. Concerns that the stiffness and mass of cartilage grafts may adversely affect hearing have not been substantiated in clinical reports thus far.

To provide an estimate of the reliability of a preventive surgical approach named lateral attic reconstruction (LAR) technique for the treatment of Type II epitympanic retraction pockets.From a cohort of 25 adult patients presenting with a Type II epitympanic retraction pocket, 2 groups were randomly formed: a first one, with 15 patients who underwent LAR technique, and a second one, in whom (10 patients) only observation was planned and was therefore used as control.University hospital as tertiary referral center.Selection criteria for composing the 2 groups of study were the presence of a Type II epitympanic retraction pocket and a normal audiogram.The surgical procedure (LAR) consisted of a retroauricular approach, removal of a small piece of tragal cartilage, cleansing of the epitympanic pocket until denudation of the ossicular components, and placement of the cartilage graft to reconstruct the lateral epitympanic wall.All the patients were controlled at different postoperative or postobservation times (1, 3, 6, and 12 mo) via otomicroscopic examination, pure-tone audiometry, and tympanometry.All operated patients showed a normal anatomic pattern starting from the first postoperative control (1 mo) with a normal or near-normal hearing threshold and a Type A or As tympanogram in most cases.Lateral attic reconstruction technique has proved to be a reliable preventive technique for impeding a Type II epitympanic retraction pocket to worsen because it was observed in a percentage, although small (33.3%), of patients in whom a wait-and-scope policy was applied.

Definition of malformations of the tragus is important for terminology and treatment. Most common entities are the skin tag, accessory tragus, preauricular sinus, and cyst, whereas macrotragus is an uncommon and unaddressed deformity that should be distinguished from these. In this report, three cases with diagnosis of the macrotragus are presented. The tragus was uniformly large and displaced anteriorly, and external auditory meatus was not obliterated in all cases. For correction, excision of the excess tragal cartilage and skin was performed. In all cases, bilaterally symmetric tragus was achieved. There were no complications in the early postoperative period and there was no enlargement after 6 months of observation. Macrotragus and accessory tragus are different entities that should be distinguished for accurate diagnosis. They have similar histopathological but distinct anatomical characteristics. Although both are treated by a simple excision, in the case of macrotragus, special effort should be taken to leave enough cartilage to restore normal tragal contours.

The main objective in the treatment of chronic otitis media is to relieve drainage and to rehabilitate hearing. Various materials can be used to repair the tympanic membrane (TM) through different tympanoplasty techniques.To assess the results of endoscopic type I tympanoplasty in pediatric patients using tragal cartilage as a grafting material.In this prospective study, we studied 80 ears in 80 pediatric patients (ages, 5-17 years) who had undergone type I tympanoplasty from January 2011 to December 2013 at a tertiary referral hospital. We classified our patients into a younger group (≤10 years; n = 40) and an older group (10 years; n = 40). Patients were followed for up to 6 months.Endoscopic type I tympanoplasty using split-thickness tragal cartilage.We identified the following criteria for success: (1) healing of the TM (anatomical success) and (2) improvement in hearing by assessing the change in the air-bone gap (ABG). We also assessed the mean operation duration and the different prognostic factors.Healing of the TM healing occurred in 34 patients (85%) in the younger group vs 36 patients (90%) in the older group. Both groups had notable improvement compared with the preoperative measurements, with no significant differences between the 2 groups. Thirty patients (75%) in the younger group had improvement in their ABG vs 32 patients (80%) in the older group, with a mean ABG of 8.0 dB and 10.5 dB in the younger and older groups, respectively. Both groups had significant functional success with no significant differences between the 2 groups. Sixty patients (75%) displayed a type A tympanogram at their 6-month postoperative audiometric testing (28 patients in the younger group vs 32 patients in the older group). There were no statistically significant differences regarding the anatomical and functional success between the patients who had previously undergone adenotonsillectomy and the other patients. The mean (SD) operation duration was 55.03 (2.50) minutes.In pediatric patients undergoing type I tympanoplasty, the endoscopic approach using the tragal cartilage as a grafting material resulted in successful anatomical and functional outcomes that are in comparable to other techniques but with a shorter operation duration. Age of the patient, auditory tube dysfunction, and previous adenotonsillectomy were not prognostic factors for this procedure.

Background: The delicate shape of the tragus and the pretragal depression are fine landmarks on the face that are usually lost during conventional rhytidectomy. A relatively simple technique to preserve the natural pretragal depression after face lift has been implemented in the authors' practice. It provides an almost invisible incisional scar and avoids tragal distortion. Methods: Incision starts around the side-burn in a curvilinear fashion toward the helix and continues vertically down into the tragal margin and around the earlobe retroauricularly. The pretragal depression is created by separating the facial attachments and deepening the space anterior to the tragal cartilage and external auditory canal. The facial attachment is turned over and sutured over the parotid fascia with several 4-0 polydioxanone sutures. The base of the tragal flap created to fit into the tragus is anchored to the deep tissues in front of the tragus with two sutures of 5-0 polypropylene. The rest of the skin is closed in two layers and the tragal flap is inset without tension. Results: The addition of this component to the operation implemented in more than 300 patients did not significantly elongate the operative time. Complications encountered included partial necrosis Of the skin that healed with secondary healing (two patients), pretragal indentation that was released under local anesthesia (two patients), and loss of the pretragal definition (three patients). Preservation of the natural appearance in the tragal and pretragal area was mentioned by the patient as a positive feature. Conclusions: Re-creation of the natural tragus and pretragal depression without some of the surgical stigmata resultant from the loss of these delicate landmarks during a face lift has improved the aesthetic outcome of the authors' rhytidectomy patients.

Cochlear implantation is usually a safe procedure but, as in most surgical interventions, it can carry some risk of complications. These can be divided into major and minor that, in turn, in turn can present early or late. This case report highlights a potential late, major complication of cochlear implantation namely extrusion, which was averted by prompt intervention. The patient presented with a three months’ history of otalgia some six yearsafter successful implantation. The posterior half of the tympanic membrane was found to be retracted on the electrode, which appeared to be on the point of extruding through the drum. A tragal cartilage myringoplasty was performed to separate the electrode from the medial surface of the tympanic membrane. There was immediate and lasting relief of the otalgia, the electrode was well protected and performance with the device was unchanged. The authors recommend reinforcing an atrophic tympanic membrane at the time of the cochlearimplantation by a cartilage graft to avoid this potentially serious complication. The case alsohighlights the need for regular otoscopy for all implanted patients.

Ear cartilage is an important source of grafts for rhinoplasty. The majority of cartilage grafts is harvested from the concha of the ear. We describe indications in which the tragal cartilage is a more favorable graft source than conchal cartilage. The technique is fast, simple, and does not require special dressings.

Aim and Objective: To study various erosion patterns related to incus and observe results of various methods of ossiculoplasty using autologous incus or cartilage. Materials and Methods: A total 82 cases found suitable for the study having some abnormalities of incus with inclusion criteria being presence of intact and normal malleus and stapes and where canal wall preserved. Cases were divided into four groups with group A having minimum erosion of lenticular process and group D includes those cases where incus found absent. Results: Appropriate methods of ossiculoplasty performed using remnant of incus or tragal cartilage and hearing results compared. More than 75% of cases had a postoperative air-bone gap (ABG)

We present a modified harvesting approach for tragal perichondrium, used in tympanic membrane reconstruction. The technique described avoids amputation of the targus thereby facilitating dissection of the perichondrium from the cartilage as compared to the traditional method. The approach described is technically easier, and removes any potential for cosmetic deformity associated with tragal cartilage amputation and reimplantation. Furthermore, both the anterior tragal perichondrium and the temporalis fascia remain intact if further surgery is required. We recommend this approach for permeatal, tragal perichondrial grafting of small to medium sized tympanic membrane perforations.

Canal wall-down technique tympanoplasty was indicated in about 41 per cent of our cases with chronic suppurative otitis media. In this series done during the last four years, of 576 tympanoplasties, 240 cases needed type III tympanoplasty. In 145 cases, myringostapediopexy was carried out using temporalis fascia grafting over the head of the stapes. Tympano-cartilago-stapediopexy was performed in the other 95 cases by using tragal cartilage and perichondrium over the stapes. A comparison between the results of both methods of grafting is discussed. Improvement in hearing was achieved after tympano-cartilago-stapediopexy. This method proved to be suitable for those cases which need open technique tympanoplasty.

The use of porous polyethylene total and partial ossicular replacement prostheses (TOPs and POPs) for ossicular reconstruction in middle ear surgery was retrospectively reviewed at the Warren Otologic Group, a tertiary referral center for otologic problems. Extrusion rates, lower than those previously reported, and improvement in hearing results were found in 250 cases. Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 8 years. This paper details the optimal placement and relationships of the prosthesis, the interposed tragal cartilage, and the drum. Modifications to the prosthesis have increased stability and ease of reconstruction. The hearing results of both TOP and POP reconstruction, and comparison with the literature, will be presented. With TOPs, the air-bone gap was closed to within 20 dB in 67% of cases. With POPs, similar results were obtained in 81% of cases.