Composite homograft for tympanoplasty and tympanomastoid surgery

Preserved homologous septal cartilage covered by temporalis fascia had been used to reconstruct the posterior meatal wall in 10 cases [group I]. Group II included other 10 cases with tympanic membrane retraction. The retracted segment is excised, silastic sheet is spread, the defect is repaired with slice of cartilage and two layers of fascia, between which the handle of malleus had been sandwiched. An air-bane gap of less than or equal to 30 db was obtained in 70% of the first group and in 90% of the second group. Homologous cartilage grafts can be expected to remain as functional and durable components and supply firm support to the canal and tympanic membrane, preventing retraction at the grafted site