2005 Volume 15 Issue 3 Pages 227-233
Cartilage has proven to be a reliable material for closure of the tympanic membrane even under difficult conditions. It resists poor trophic conditions, infections and negative pressure. Since introduction in 1970, cartilage palisade technique (CPT) has been increasingly popular in Europe, especially in Germany. In CPT cartilage is applied in many strips, which can avoids postoperative bending and secondary displacement seen with a large cartilage piece. Recent articles reported its high success rate in anatomic and functional results in long term observation. Not any reports on CPT, however, were seen in Japanese literature.
In order to determine the morphologic and hearing results of CPT in tympanoplasty, retrospective analysis of 8 tympanoplasties in 6 patients (4 women and 2 men) consecutively operated on from May 2003 to March 2004 was performed. Indications of surgery were large recurrent tympanic membrane perforations due to poor trophic conditions, such as thermal burn, irradiation and tuberculosis, and sequele of middle ear tuberculosis along with adhesive otitis media with cholesteatoma. Otoscopic findings and hearing results using pure tone audiometry were adopted as main outcome measures. The graft take rate was 100%. Postoperative hearing results were improved in six out of 8 ears. Although this report is preliminary, the CPT seems to be suitable to manage difficult pathologic conditions in middle ear surgery.
Detailed technique of CPT was also described.
