A practical method in measurement of perforation size during cartilage tympanoplasty

Abstract

Cartilage has been used in otologic surgery for ossicular reconstruction and grafting since 1960s. Due to lowmetabolic rate, stiffness and stability properties with regard to fascia, it is thought to be more effective intympanoplasty. With the help of this measurement technique, redundant oversized harvesting of cartilage canbe prevented and overmanuplation during graft replacement especially after a delicate ossiculoplasty procedurecan be avoided. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the preparation of optimal island cartilage compositegraft with a simple sterile suture package template for the appropriate size of the tympanic membraneperforation, and to provide a functional surgery with minimal donor site defect and minimal manipulation.With this technique, 143 patients with chronic otitis have been operated in our clinic. No complications withrespect to this method, have been observed up to date. Using an easily prepared template is a simple andeffective method for measuring the perforation size.