A comparative study of the outcomes of temporalis fascia graft versus tragal perichondrium graft in type 1 tympanoplasty in our experience

Background: COM causes considerable morbidity with ear discharge, conductive hearing loss and complications. Type 1 tympanoplasty is a surgical procedure which intends improves the hearing and quality of the life. Comparison of the outcomes will help to determine the merits or demerits of a particular graft. Methods: The study was conducted in the department of ENT, SMVMCH, Pondicherry from April 2015 to April 2017. A detailed history taking, thorough clinical examination done for these patients. PTA was done before the procedure, post operatively at 3 rd month. Hearing improvement analysed using different parameters like type of graft used, hearing gain, graft uptake; the data collected was tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis. Results: All the patients had COM, mucosal type, with conductive hearing loss of <40 dB. 23 patients underwent type 1 tympanoplasty by underlay technique using temporalis fascia, 19 patients using tragal perichondrium. There was no significant difference in total hearing gain at 3 rd month and graft uptake between temporalis fascia and tragal perichondrium. Conclusions: This study compared the outcomes of temporalis fascia and tragal perichondrium graft with respect to hearing gain and graft uptake. Tragal perichondrium graft equally effective as temporalis fascia graft in terms of hearing gain and graft uptake.