title: Comparative study of hearing improvement in type 1 tympanoplasty with and without canalplasty.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Widening of the external auditory canal is canalplasty. It is an intergral part of tympanoplasty, especially in anterior perforations and gives wide surgical access for proper repair.
  
  
  METHODS
  After elevating tympanomeatal flaps the canal is widened using conical cutting and diamond burrs following which entire tympanic annulus is visible and corresponds to an inverted truncated cone.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Canalplasty gives 9 db gain in hearing compared to without canalplasty.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Canalplasty gives better visualization, better graft placement and better post-operative care.
authors.affiliation: No. 1, 9th cross, Margosa Road, Malleswaram, Bangalore, 560 003 India.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vijayendra
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Ittop
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sangeetha
keywords: Canalplasty; Tympanoplasty