A comparative study of audiological and surgical results in partial versus complete strip cartilage reinforcement tympanoplasty

Abstract Hypothesis: Different techniques used in cartilage tympanoplasty are palisade technique, shield graft, in-lay butterfly graft, and island flap cartilage. Purpose: The aim of the study was to compare audiological and graft take results in partial versus complete strip cartilage reinforcement tympanoplasty. Materials and methods: A total of 60 patients with central perforation of the tympanic membrane and age ranging from 18 to 40 years were selected. They were divided into two equal study groups of 30 patients each. The first group underwent complete strip cartilage reinforcement tympanoplasty and the second group underwent partial strip cartilage reinforcement tympanoplasty. Results: The overall success rate was 83.3% in the complete strip technique and 86.66% in the partial strip technique. In both study groups, there was statistically significant difference between the audiological results before and after operation. Furthermore, audiological and graft take results were better in the partial strip technique but with no statistically significant difference. Conclusion: The overall results of partial strip tympanoplasty are better than complete strip tympanoplasty regarding graft take and audiological results. © 2014, The Egyptian Oto - Rhino - Laryngological Society.