Abstract

Objective: To compare effectiveness of graft uptake between tragal cartilage and temporal fascia in patients undergoing Type-I underlay tympanoplasty.
Methodology: This randomized controlled trial was conducted in ENT Department, Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi from 20th Feb to 19th August 2019. A total of 80 patients of both genders aged between 20-40 years were divided randomly into two groups. Non-probability consecutive sampling was used. Tragal cartilage Type-I underlay Tympanoplasty was performed on Group-A, while Group-B underwent temporalis fascia Type-I underlay Tympanoplasty.
Results: Out of 80 patients, 42 (52.5%) were men and 38 (47.5%) women. Mean age was 29.41±5.75 years. Mean duration of symptoms ranged from 7.03±3.74 years. Perforation was ≤25% in 44 (55.0%) patients while 25-50% and >50% in 19 (23.8%) and 17 (21.2%) patients, respectively. The effectiveness was significantly higher in patients undergoing Tragal cartilage Type-I underlay Tympanoplasty (100.0% vs. 72.5%; p=0.000) as compared to temporalis fascia Type-I underlay Tympanoplasty. Same difference was observed across all age, gender, duration of symptoms and size of perforation groups.
Conclusion: Tragal cartilage Type-I underlay Tympanoplasty was more effective (100.0% vs. 72.5%; p= 0.000) as compared to Temporalis fascia Type-I underlay Tympanoplasty regardless of patient’s age, gender, duration of symptoms and size of perforation.

Key words: Type-I underlay tympanoplasty, tragal cartilage, temporalis fascia.