title: Results of reconstructive mastoidectomy with homograft knee cartilage.
abstract: The technique of reconstructing the posterior canal wall with homograft knee cartilage originally described in 1972 is reviewed and refinements are presented along with additional cases. The homograft knee cartilage is used in conjunction with the homograft tympanic membrane and ossicles to rebuild the middle ear and mastoid as near as possible to anatomical configuration and function. Anatomical follow-up of one year or more is reported on 63 ears. Satisfactory results were obtained in 36 of these ears or 57% of the total. Hearing results are reported overall and in relation to different types of reconstruction. One year or more follow-up demonstrates satisfactory hearing with an air-bone gap of 20 db or less in 77% of the postoperative ears.
mesh_terms: D004424:Ear Canal / Q000601:surgery; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007188:Incus / Q000637:transplantation; D008307:Malleus / Q000637:transplantation; D008416:Mastoid / Q000601:surgery*; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000637:transplantation*; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000637:transplantation; D014433:Tympanoplasty / Q000379:methods*