title: Isolated malleus-handle fracture surgical repair using tragal cartilage.
abstract: The isolated malleus-handle fracture is a rare ossicular injury and tends to be overlooked when the tympanic membrane appears normal. Various surgical attempts have been made to correct this fracture; however, these techniques largely relied on xenograft implantation materials; the autologous cartilaginous graft application has never been reported. Herein we describe a simple, rapid, and effective method that uses available tragal cartilaginous graft to repair an isolated malleus-handle fracture. Our approach offers a reliable choice to restore continuity of the ossicular chain and produce a more satisfying, subjective hearing ability in this uncommon fracture situation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Ying-Nan
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Chung-Ching
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.forename: Jih-Chin
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Chih-Hung
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D004425:Ear Cartilage / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008307:Malleus / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014433:Tympanoplasty / Q000379:methods