Repair of subtotal tympanic membrane perforation by ultrathin cartilage shield: evaluation of take rate and hearing result

Our aim is to evaluate the function and take rate of 0.2 mm thickness cartilage shield for repair of subtotal tympanic membrane perforation by comparing it with full thickness cartilage and temporalis fascia. Repair of tympanic membrane was done in 85 patients with unilateral chronic otitis media with subtotal perforation. The patients were classified into three groups: group ‘A’ where 0.2 mm thickness cartilage graft was used, group ‘B’ repaired with full thickness cartilage graft and group ‘C’ where temporalis fascia graft was used. Over the follow-up period, we found that the graft take was complete with both partial and complete thickness cartilage grafts while it was not complete in fascia cases. On the other hand, there was marked improvement in hearing in cases repaired by fascia and partial thickness grafts as compared to hearing results of full thickness grafts. We concluded that 0.2 mm partial thickness cartilage graft is optimal in reconstruction of subtotal tympanic membrane perforation because it is excellent to obtain high take rate with good hearing results.