OUTCOME OF AUGMENTED CARTILAGE TYMPANOPLASTY FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF TYMPANIC MEMBRANE RETRACTION POCKET IN PATIENTS WITH INACTIVE SQUAMOUS CHRONIC OTITIS MEDIA

Abstract

Objectives:
To evaluate the outcome of augmented cartilage tympanoplasty for the treatment of tympanic membrane retraction pocket in patients with inactive squamous COM.
Materials and methods:
This Prospective, interventional study was conducted in the Department of ORL& HNS, NAMS, Bir Hospital, over a period of 3 years, between July 2017 to December 2000. Twenty-five consecutive patients having tympanic retraction pocket of early symptomatic charachon stage II without otorrhoea, keratin debris or cholesteatoma of age above 5 years were taken for the study. Augmented cartilage tympanoplasty was done after excision of the retraction pockets. The outcome of surgery in terms of graft uptake, hearing improvement and recurrence of disease were noted 12 weeks after the surgery. The patients were kept for continued follow up every three monthly thereafter. Follow-up ranged 3-18 months.
Results:
Out of 25 patients operated, 23 (92%) had successful graft uptake in one and half year observation period. One (4%) had small residual perforation without otorrhoea and one (4%) had mild re-retraction at postero-superior quadrant. The air-bone gap (ABG) improved in 12 (48 %), remained almost similar in 10(40%) and mild deterioration in three (12 %) patients.
Conclusion:
Augmented cartilage tympanoplasty in the early symptomatic patients of charachon stage II retraction pockets do not have significant hearing loss and recurrence of retraction after the surgery with advantage of prevention of choleasteatoma formation and ossicular erosion.
Keywords: Augmented cartilage tympanoplasty, Air bone gap, Tympanic membrane retraction, Inactive squamous COM