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PubMed2006

Correlation between middle-ear pressure-regulation functions and outcome of type-I tympanoplasty.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the correlation between the middle-ear pressure-regulation functions including active eustachian tube (ET) functions and transmucosal gas exchange function, and outcome of tympanoplasty. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy five patients (78 ears) with non-cholesteatomatous chronic otitis media with eardrum perforation but without ossicular damage or middle-ear anomaly participated in this study. Before surgery, patency of the ET was examined by applying positive pressure to the middle ear through the eardrum perforation, and then the ET pressure-regulation functions were examined using the inflation-deflation test. Also their transmucosal gas exchange function was evaluated by examining the presence or absence of aeration in the mastoid on the CT before surgery or through the microscope during the surgery. All of them underwent type-I tympanoplasty, and their postoperative conditions including the hearing were followed for more than 6 months. The outcome of the surgery was judged as poor outcome when they had any of the following conditions; more than 20 dB of mean air-bone gap, spontaneous perforation within 6 months, or persistent wet condition including recurrent otorrhea. RESULTS: First, the outcome of all the four ears of which ETs were considered mechanically obstructed was poor. Next, among the remaining 74 ears, none of the three individual parameters, including positive and negative middle-ear pressure-equalizing functions and mastoid aeration, showed significantly positive correlation with the outcome of the surgery, but significantly higher incidence of poor outcome was seen only when all the three parameters were poor. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicated that impairment of all the middle-ear pressure-regulation functions was likely to cause poor outcome of tympanoplasty, and also allowed us reconfirm that ears with mechanically obstructed ETs were contraindicated for tympanoplasty. Therefore, assessment of mastoid condition is important as well as the ET function before tympanoplasty.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Pediatric tympanoplasty: the role of adenoidectomy.

A chronic dry perforation in a child presents a dilemma with regard to timing of intervention or whether intervention is appropriate at all. Many studies have looked at elements associated with eustachian tube function in hopes of finding prognostic factors. Adenoidectomy has been shown to be very effective in the treatment of chronic and recurrent otitis media. Intuitively, it would seem to play a role in pediatric tympanoplasty; however, no study has thoroughly investigated this issue to date. To evaluate the role of adenoidectomy in pediatric tympanoplasty, we performed a retrospective review of all patients younger than 18 years who had a simple dry perforation and underwent a Wullstein's type I tympanoplasty. Thirty-six patients were identified for review during the 7-year study period. The patients were grouped into those who had previous adenotonsillectomy (n = 12), those who had prior adenoidectomy alone (n = 10), and those who had neither (n = 14). Initial success of tympanoplasty was noted to be high in all three groups. However, at 6-month follow-up, the success for the group who had not had prior adenoidectomy or tonsillectomy dropped dramatically (14.3%), whereas the other two groups maintained success rates in excess of 75% (p = 0.002). This relationship remained fairly constant throughout the 2 years of follow-up. Although our population under study is somewhat small, the results support a potentially advantageous role of adenoidectomy for pediatric tympanoplasty. These results and their implications will be discussed.

Adenoidectomy↗

PubMed1990

Chronic otitis media and tympanoplasty in aged patients.

Results of tympanoplasty in patients over 60 years old were analyzed mainly in terms of hearing and postoperative course. Tympanoplasty was carried out in 78 ears of 67 patients during the last ten years. The following types of tympanoplasty were employed: type I in 34 ears, type III-Columella in 23 ears, type IV-Columella in 13 ears, and other types in 8 ears. The results were compared to those of 145 ears from 119 patients ranging from 20 to 59 years of age who had undergone tympanoplasty during the last 3 years. In tympanoplasty type I, closure of the air-bone gap within 20 dB was attained in 70% of the patients over 60 years old, 90% in the 50-59 year age group, and 100% in the 20-49 year age group. In type III-Columella, these values were 60, 78, and 94%, respectively. During the postoperative follow-up, perforation of the eardrum recurred in 5 of 78 ears (6.4%) in the patients over 60, in 5 of 52 ears (9.6%) in the 50-59 year group, and in 7 of 93 ears (7.5%) in the 20-49 year group. These results suggested that hearing results were worse in patients over 60 than in the other age groups, even though the incidence of graft failure did not greatly differ by age.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Improvement in bone conduction threshold after tympanoplasty.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the causes of bone conduction threshold impairment associated with middle ear pathoses and the factors influencing improvement in bone conduction threshold after tympanoplasty. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: The records of 98 consecutive patients with unilateral chronic otitis media who underwent tympanoplasty were reviewed. Pre-operatively, 15 dB or more depression of bone conduction threshold at least in 2 frequencies between 500 and 6000 Hz was considered to be significant. Similarly in the postoperative period, 15 dB or more improvement of bone conduction threshold at least in 2 frequencies between 500 and 6000 Hz was regarded as significant. RESULTS: Twelve (12.5%) of 98 cases were found to have depressed bone conduction threshold; 6 of 12 cases had improved bone conduction threshold after tympanoplasty. CONCLUSION: In cases with cholesteatoma and extensive middle ear disease, successful results could be achieved after tympanoplasty disregarding the air-bone gap and deteriorated bone conduction threshold. SIGNIFICANCE: Bone conduction threshold may improve after tympanoplasty.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Hearing results after primary cartilage tympanoplasty.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Cartilage-perichondrium grafting of the tympanic membrane has been used in an effort to reduce recurrence or progression of middle ear disease. The rigidity of cartilage has obvious benefit in preventing tympanic membrane retraction, but concern has been raised regarding its sound conduction properties Few studies in the literature address hearing results after cartilage tympanoplasty. The purpose of this study was to investigate the hearing results after primary cartilage tympanoplasty and compare them with results after primary tympanoplasty with temporalis fascia. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of all ear surgeries using cartilage between 1994 and 1999 was performed. METHODS: Only primary cases in which the ossicular chain was intact and no mastoid surgery was performed were included. Indications for surgery included tympanic membrane perforation, retraction, and cholesteatoma Pre- and postoperative speech reception thresholds and air-bone gaps at 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz, 2,000 Hz, and 4,000 Hz were compared. RESULTS: Eleven patients comprised the cartilage study group, and there were 11 age- and temporally matched control subjects. The mean improvement in speech reception threshold for both the study group and the control group was 10 dB. The majority of patients in both groups had ABG closure to within 10 dB at all frequencies examined. There were no statistically significant differences in speech reception threshold improvement or air-bone gap closures between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that hearing results after cartilage tympanoplasty are comparable to those after temporalis fascia tympanoplasty. Therefore, when indicated, a cartilage-perichondrium graft can be used for prevention of disease recurrence or progression without fear of impairing hearing.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Over-under tympanoplasty.

OBJECTIVE: Common techniques of tympanic membrane repair include underlay and overlay grafting. The over-under tympanoplasty, an innovative method for tympanic membrane repair, will be described as a reliable alternative that has advantages over traditional procedures. STUDY DESIGN: This study was a retrospective case review. SETTING: Tertiary referral center with hospital-setting surgery and outpatient ambulatory patient visits. PATIENTS: One hundred twenty patients who underwent over-under tympanoplasty were included in this study. Average follow-up was 1.8 years. INTERVENTION: Over-under tympanoplasty is performed by placing the graft over the malleus and under the annulus. This technique was used for patients undergoing ear surgery for chronic otitis media, perforations, cholesteatoma, and/or conductive hearing loss. All degrees of ear pathology were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Main outcome measures were graft success (no perforation, atelectasis, or lateralization within 6 mo) and improvement of hearing. Patients were stratified by severity of disease (according to the Middle Ear Risk Index), cholesteatoma presence, and type of mastoidectomy. RESULTS: All 120 patients had successful grafts. Lateralization of the grafted drum did not occur. Seventeen patients had late atelectasis, and 12 patients had late perforations; nearly all of these were noted more than 1 year after surgery and were attributed to persistent eustachian tube dysfunction or infections. Average improvement in air-bone gap for all patients was 5.3 dB, whereas speech reception threshold improved by 5.9 dB. CONCLUSION: Over-under tympanoplasty has an excellent success rate while being technically easier than lateral tympanoplasty. Thus, it is a useful method for practitioners of all levels.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Use of AlloDerm in type I tympanoplasty: a comparison with native tissue grafts.

OBJECTIVES: AlloDerm, an acellular human dermis allograft, has been shown to be an effective option as a tympanic membrane (TM) graft in animals and humans and has several potential advantages, including eliminating donor site morbidity, reducing operative time, and preserving native tissues for later use. We compared AlloDerm and native tissue grafts in type I tympanoplasty with regard to operative time, graft success rate, and audiologic outcome. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective chart review of tympanoplasties performed at a major tertiary referral hospital over a 31 month period, starting with the first use of AlloDerm for TM grafting at this institution. METHODS: The medical charts of all patients undergoing tympanoplasty were reviewed. Only those patients undergoing type I tympanoplasty without mastoidectomy or ossicular chain reconstruction were included. These 114 patients (25 AlloDerm, 56 fascia reconstruction, and 33 fascia plus cartilage reconstruction) were compared for operative time, success rate of the graft, and change in audiologic outcome. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant reduction in operative time in the AlloDerm group when controlled for surgeon and choice of approach. All groups showed no statistically significant difference in the success rate of the graft and closure of audiologic air-bone gap, regardless of graft material used. CONCLUSIONS: AlloDerm is an effective TM graft when used in type I tympanoplasty. It is as effective as native tissues in closing the air-bone gap on audiogram as well as in graft success rate. AlloDerm may also significantly reduce operative time, depending on the surgeon's technique.

Audiometry↗

PubMed2004

Tympanoplasty - reporting hearing results and 'hearing objective'.

When reporting the results of tympanoplasty, the postoperative air-bone gap (ABG) presented in 10 dB bins, ABG closure and air conduction threshold gain are commonly reported indicators of tympanoplasty outcome. When tympanoplasty is performed, the reconstruction aims either to improve hearing threshold or to maintain satisfactory thresholds, that is, the surgical intention is either for 'hearing gain' or for 'hearing preservation'. This review of the early results of tympanoplasty examines whether classifying surgery as either for hearing gain or for hearing preservation influences the reported results. Closure of the ABG to within 20 dB was achieved in 72-94% of cases, the average postoperative ABG was between 13.1 and 17.1 dB with the postoperative air conduction threshold being between 27.4 and 33.5 dB. These figures were similar for both hearing preservation and hearing gain procedures. However air conduction threshold gain was significantly greater for the 'hearing gain' group (17 dB versus 0 dB) and was reduced to 8 dB by combining the two groups. Overall, indicating whether surgery attempted hearing preservation or hearing gain did not significantly alter the parameters used for reporting tympanoplasty outcome.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1985

Micropuncture of the tympanic membrane after tympanoplasty.

Shortly after tympanoplasty the cause of conductive hearing loss may be difficult to ascertain. If the cause is related to poor eustachian tube function, early aeration of the middle ear should produce an immediate improvement in hearing. A procedure for aerating the middle ear consists of introducing 0.5 cc of air through the graft with a tuberculin syringe and an angled 1.25-inch, 27-gauge needle. Between 1978 and 1983, 75 patients, or 19% of those having tympanoplasties or mastoid tympanoplasties, underwent the micropuncture procedure. Forty-five patients had a hearing improvement after the procedure and there were no complications. It appears that micropuncture of the tympanic membrane is an easily performed, relatively painless, safe procedure after tympanoplasty. It is a useful diagnostic procedure that may also improve the ultimate results of tympanoplasty surgery.

Air↗

PubMed2002

Results of type 1 tympanoplasty in children and parental perceptions of outcome of surgery.

The goals of tympanoplasty in children include improvement in hearing, prevention of ear infections, and elimination of the need for water precautions. However, tympanoplasty in children is a controversial subject. In the present study the outcome of tympanoplasty in children is examined with regard to its success in achieving these goals and to the level of parental satisfaction with its outcome. Fifty-four children undergoing 62 tympanoplasties at our institution were included in the study. The surgical success rate was 72.5 per cent. Fifty per cent of parents reported that their child's hearing had improved (p = 0.181 for association with surgical success), 78 per cent reported a decrease in ear infections (p = 0.023), 45 per cent reported their child to be participating in activities previously refrained from (p = 0.003), and 79 per cent of parents were satisfied with the overall surgical outcome (p<0.001). Our findings show that successful tympanoplasty my confer benefits on children and may help guide parents' expectations of the surgery.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1983

Incisions in tympanoplasty: anatomic considerations and indications.

The endaural, postauricular and transmeatal incisions are the most commonly used surgical approaches for tympanoplasty. Each incision used in tympanoplasty has its own advantages and limitations so that no single approach is the best approach for all tympanic membrane perforations. The incision selected for tympanoplasty should be determined by the location and extent of disease. Forty adult temporal bones were studied to understand the limiting factors for each surgical approach used in tympanoplasty. The external endaural incision has been modified to permit easier visualization of the crescentic endomeatal canal incisions. The anterior external endaural incision allows direct exposure of temporalis fascia, the external meatus, bony canal and perforation involving the posterior tympanic membrane and ossicular chain. The postauricular incision gives direct exposure of the anterior tympanic membrane with preservation of the anterior canal wall skin. The transmeatal approach should be reserved for smaller central perforations with limited risk for squamous ingrowth into the middle ear. In the transmeatal tympanoplasty, the ear canal should permit the use of a speculum large enough to expose the entire perforation.

Adult↗

PubMed1983

Homograft tympanoplasty in perspective. A long-term clinical-histologic study of formalin-fixed tympanic membranes used for the reconstruction of 125 severely damaged middle ears.

This seven and a half year clinical-histologic study evaluates the effectiveness of buffered, formaldehyde-fixed homograft tympanic membranes for reconstructing the severely damaged middle ear in 125 consecutive patients. Indications for use of homograft tympanoplasty were limited to those cases in which standard tympanoplasty had already failed to produce a satisfactory hearing or anatomic result (i.e., recurrent perforations or draining radical mastoidectomy cavity), or to those cases in which there was a high risk of unsatisfactory result with standard tympanoplasty techniques (i.e., total perforation with absent malleus or congenital aural atresia). Anatomic data was documented with serial postoperative photomicrography. Audiograms were performed at yearly intervals and long-term hearing results were analyzed. Histologic studies were performed on 2 homograft tympanic membranes removed 6 months and 6 years postoperatively. Postoperative photographs of the healing donor tympanic membrane and histologic studies confirmed that the homograft collagen attracts host angioblasts, fibroblasts and epithelial cells. The initial inflammatory response (primarily lymphocytic) subsides and the host produces collagen and elastin fibers interspersed among the donor collagen. Gradually the donor collagen is resorbed. At the completion of this study, 95% (119/125) of the homograft tympanoplasties are currently intact. There were 13 immediate postoperative perforations, but 11 were repaired with a second stage underlay fascia tympanoplasty. Long-term hearing results were analyzed according to the type of ossicular reconstruction employed (mean follow-up 4 years). In 87 patients with chronic otitis media, 94% of the type I repairs maintained an air-bone gap of 25 dB or less, 85% of the type II, and 81% of the type III. Forty-four patients presented with an absent malleus and absent tympanic membrane and were reconstructed with a homograft tympanic membrane with attached malleus and a shaped incus columella. At 4 years postoperatively, 83% of these patients maintained an average air-bone gap of 25 dB or better. A similar group of 38 patients presenting with absent malleus, incus, and stapes were reconstructed with isograft temporalis fascia and a cartilage covered TORP. Only 18% of the TORP patients maintained an air-bone gap of 25 dB 4 years postoperatively. Thirty-three patients with draining radical mastoidectomy cavities were reconstructed; 97% (32/33) had a dry, self-cleansing ear with no activity restriction. Only 59% maintained an air-bone gap closure of 25 dB or better in the long-term follow-up; 30% (10/33) developed persistent eustachian tube dysfunction, usually in the second through fourth postoperative years.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Effects of aging on hearing results in tympanoplasty.

The effects of aging on the preoperative and postoperative hearing results of tympanoplasty were assessed in 642 patients with chronic suppurative otitis media (COM) or cholesteatoma (CHL). Analysis focused on the correlation between hearing results and age for each disease and type of tympanoplasty. Data were evaluated by calculating the regression line, mainly using second order polynomial regression analysis. Averaged air and bone conduction thresholds (PTA) in patients were appreciably poorer in younger patients and increased with age, compared with physiological hearing impairment in old age (presbyacusis). Regression lines for PTA of air and bone conduction in patients and for normal data (air conduction) separated from each other after the age of 30 and hearing impairment gradually accelerated with age. Means of air-borne gap, however, were almost the same in each age group, though hearing thresholds in individual patients were distributed widely. This was more dominant in patients who had undergone type III or IV tympanoplasty than those with type I tympanoplasty, and in patients with COM than with CHL. Labyrinthine function thus appears to be gradually aggravated with age in patients with chronic inflammatory ear disease. Patients with chronic otitis media should be thus recommended to undergo tympanoplasty at an early age.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

[Evaluation of healing effect for simultaneously tympanoplasty in treating chronic suppurative otitis media with cholesteatoma and/or granulation tissue].

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to discuss possibility and factors influencing healing effect for simultaneously tympanoplasty of chronic suppurative otitis media with cholesteatoma and/or granulation tissue. METHOD: For 52 cases with chronic suppurative otitis media with cholesteatoma (30 ears) and/or granulation tissue (22 ears), cleaning lesion with simultaneously tympanoplasty was surgical procedure, among them, 12 ears treated with single tympanoplasty, 40 ears treated with mastoidectomy and tympanoplasty. RESULT: All cases had dry ears without recurring cholesteatoma. Among them, hearing of 5 patients improved more than 30 dB, 9 ears improved from 20 to 29 dB, 31 ears improved from 10 to 19 dB and 7 ears improved less than 10 dB. Hearing of no cases reduced than that in preoperation. CONCLUSION: Simultaneously tympanoplasty would be carried out possible in treating chronic suppurative otitis media with cholesteatoma and/or granulation tissue. There were two important factors influencing hearing improvement, which concluded effective area of tympanic membrane concussion, activity of stapes and/or stapes footplate. The main cause for failure in hearing improvement would be eustachian tube obstruction.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

Selection of cases and classification of tympanoplasty.

Meticulous mastoid surgery does not always result in a dry, stable ear. Eustachian tube malfunction has been accepted as an important factor in chronic and recurrent middle ear infection. There are many parameters of eustachian tube malfunction, which form a complicated problem for investigation and analysis. Of most importance appears to be varying degrees of malformation of the nasopharynx and palate. A gradient from mild to overt deformity appears to be related to the degree of eustachian tube function. Other factors, such as nasal infection and allergy, nasopharyngeal scar tissue and tumors, and general resistance to infection, are of less importance but must be considered in the etiology of chronic ear disease. Tympanoplasty is relatively unsuccessful in a chronic discharging ear, as the infection ultimately destroys a surgical repair. Persistent otorrhea can be caused by either eustachian tube malfunction or a reservoir of chronic infection in the mastoid cavity. A mastoidectomy often controls the infection in the mastoid cells and a tympanoplasty may be done as a secondary procedure when the cavity is stable. A careful preoperative evaluation should be made in every case to determine the responsible factors for persistent ear infection. If possible, attempts should be made to eliminate the causative factors prior to the tympanoplasty. Classification of cases into four groups helps to separate those cases with a good prognosis from those that will continue to suppurate and will have a poor functional result. A dual classification of tympanoplasty has been established in which the type of reconstruction is documented and the stability of the ear against infection is estimated. Classified clinical material forms the basis for a clearer representation of the cases under investigation and the results of tympanoplastic surgery become statistically comparable. Classification of cases also aids in the selection of cases for surgery by identifying preoperatively those cases that will be successful from those that may not have a good result. With this information at hand it is possible to more accurately inform the patient preoperatively regarding hearing improvement and control of infection following a tympanoplasty.

Cholesteatoma↗

PubMed1989

Eustachian tube function in tympanoplasty.

This paper describes central and peripheral eustachian tube function in relation to tympanoplasty. Central obstruction of the eustachian tube at the pharyngeal orifice is frequently correctable and is not a contraindication to tympanoplasty, whereas chronic cicatricial peripheral obstruction of the eustachian tube at the isthmus is a contraindication to tympanoplasty. These findings are based on tubal patency pressure studies measured with a mercurial manometer with the patient performing the Valsalva maneuver, with catheterization of the eustachian tube, and with politzerization. If the patient can autoinflate the middle ear and if the eustachian tube will open with politzerization, then the likelihood exists that there is no peripheral obstruction of the eustachian tube and you have a good candidate for tympanoplasty. When there is a perforation of the ear drum, the best test for eustachian tube function is microscopic examination of the middle ear mucosa. If the middle ear mucosa is perfectly normal, then you know that you have good eustachian tube function and can proceed with the tympanoplasty.

Catheterization↗

PubMed1982

Complications of homograft tympanoplasty.

The use of a homograft tympanic membrane with an attached malleus has provided an excellent alternative for reconstructing the severely damaged middle ear. I have limited homograft tympanoplasty to four specific indications: previous failure of standard tympanoplasty techniques, high risk of failure (total perforation, absent malleus, slag burns), reconstruction of radical mastoidectomy, and congenital aural atresia. Homograft tympanoplasty has provided a 94 per cent incidence of anatomic success in these severely damaged middle ears. Closure of the air-bone gap to within 25 dB. was accomplished in 85 per cent of these patients. Complications must be viewed in the perspective of the extensive disease in the middle ear that was being reconstructed. Only meticulous attention to surgical technique and postoperative care will provide the successes described by Wehrs, Marquet, Perkins, and others. The otologic surgeon is urged to observe the surgical techniques of homograft tympanoplasty rather than merely read about it. I believe that the transplant tympanic membrane should be used only when it provides an advantage over standard grafting techniques. Underlay fascia tympanoplasty yields excellent results in the majority of eardrum reconstructions. A final word about homograft tympanic membrane and ossicles. Although several "banks" for ear tissue are available in the United States, there are few established guidelines that these banks are required to follow. The otologic surgeon who uses homograft tissue must be guaranteed that the biologic product he is implanting in his patient is sterile, is anatomically perfect, has been stored in a chemically stable preservative, and has proven biologic effectiveness. Ear banks should be managed by surgeons who are using that tissue in their own patients, thus monitoring the tissue's quality. Each bank has a responsibility to donors, recipients, and surgeons to maintain the highest laboratory standards that will guarantee the quality of its product. Since there is no regulating agency, the practicing physician should insist that these standards for processed homograft ear tissue be maintained.

Cholesteatoma↗

PubMed1998

Tympanoplasty type II with ionomeric cement and titanium-gold-angle prostheses.

OBJECTIVE: The pronounced isolated erosion of the long incus process is a challenging situation during tympanoplasty. Here, we report two methods for reconstruction of the ossicular chain as tympanoplasty type II with the incus remaining in situ. (1) lonomeric cement is used, resulting in two characteristics: a direct link between stapes head and the long incus process is achieved. At the stapes head the link possesses a joint allowing physiological movements between incus and stapes. (2) Titanium-gold-angle prosthesis according to Plester were crimped to the long process of the incus and positioned onto the head of the stapes forming an articulation. STUDY DESIGN: Forty-five patients with missing long incus process underwent ossiculoplasty among which 41 patients were operated within a randomized, prospective clinical trial. For myringoplasty, the underlay technique with tragus perichondrium was used in all patients. SETTING: We investigated hospitalized patients. INTERVENTION: In 26 patients ossiculoplasty was performed as tympanoplasty type II, in 19 patients with incus interposition. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The essential criterion was the postoperative air-bone-gap (dB). RESULTS: Incus interposition achieved less satisfactory results with an average remaining air-bone gap of 10-20 dB. By contrast, the two tympanoplasty type II procedures yielded average postoperative air-bone-gaps of 0-10 dB (p=0.0003 at 1 kHz; p=0.0028 at 4 kHz), thus reaching the "gold standard" of stapedotomy. The two type II procedures, however, were not equal. The angle prosthesis was restricted to cases with a sufficiently long incus process, whereas the cement-technique is also applicable, when only a short part of the long incus process remained. CONCLUSION: In the present study we show that in the case of a missing crus longum of the incus, a tympanoplasty type II achieved a statistically significant better hearing gain than an autograft interposition.

Audiometry↗