Irradiated rib cartilage graft for reconstruction of the tympanic membrane: preliminary results.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the advantages, disadvantages, safety, and results in reconstruction of the tympanic membrane using irradiated rib cartilage.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review.


METHODS
A tertiary referral center.


METHODS
All patients who had > or =6 months follow-up who underwent tympanoplasty or tympanomastoidectomy using irradiated rib cartilage graft at our institution from January 1, 1993 to December 31, 1996.


METHODS
Tympanoplasty or tympanomastoidectomy using homologous irradiated rib cartilage as graft material.


METHODS
Postoperative speech reception thresholds, speech discrimination scores, and air-bone gap were compared with preoperative levels. Complications directly related to irradiated rib cartilage tympanoplasty were sought.


RESULTS
Speech reception threshold did not significantly change. Speech discrimination scores were stable or improved in all patients. Postoperative air-bone gap was < or =10 dB in 43.2% of patients and < or =20 dB in 70.3% of patients. There was a 16% complication rate regarding tympanoplasty in general. No complications unique to irradiated rib cartilage occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
Irradiated rib cartilage is an alternative tympanoplasty material that may save operating time, spares patients an added incision, provides results similar to other grafting material, and is safe.
Schulte
D L
DL
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
Driscoll
C L
CL
McDonald
T J
TJ
Facer
G W
GW
Beatty
C W
CW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002356:Cartilage / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000637:transplantation*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008416:Mastoid / Q000601:surgery; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012272:Ribs / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000637:transplantation*; D013069:Speech Reception Threshold Test; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000601:surgery*; D014433:Tympanoplasty / Q000379:methods*
D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes