Year: 2026 | Month: July-September | Volume: 11 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 10-18
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijshr.20260302
A Comparative Study of Full-Thickness Versus Half-Thickness Cartilage Graft in Type I Tympanoplasty
Manaswi Kadel1, Sanjana Nemade2, Sandeep Chahande3
1Junior Resident, SKN Medical College and General Hospital, Narhe, Pune, Maharashtra
2HOD, SKN Medical College and General Hospital, Narhe, Pune, Maharashtra
3Assistant Professor, SKN Medical College and General Hospital, Narhe, Pune, Maharashtra
Corresponding Author: Dr. Manaswi Kadel
ABSTRACT
Background & objectives: Tympanic membrane repair using temporalis fascia and perichondrium may show failure as a result of atrophy. Cartilage might be a better alternative. The use of cartilage for tympanoplasty may be associated with some functional impairment due to reduced vibration patterns. Thinning of cartilage can result in acoustic benefits. There is a lack of sufficient evidence to support the use of full thickness or half thickness cartilage graft; therefore, this study was undertaken with the aim of evaluating the outcome of full thickness versus half thickness cartilage graft in Type I tympanoplasty.
Methods: This clinical trial included 60 patients [30 receiving full thickness graft (Group A) & 30 receiving partial thickness graft (Group B)]. Assessment of AB gap, AB gap closure, graft uptake, presence of dry ear, and complications was performed. Data were analysed using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) 25.0 version.
Results: The gap closure was significantly greater in Group B compared to Group A at 3 months [5.0 (0.0- 10.0) vs. 4.5 (0.0- 5.25); p-value= .034] and at 6 months [10.0 (5.0- 10.325) vs. 5.0 (4.75-10.0); p-value= .031]. Overall, the graft uptake was successful in 95% of the patients. The graft rejection rate was 3.3% and 6.7% in Group A and Group B respectively.
Conclusion: Partial-thickness tragal cartilage grafts in Type I tympanoplasty provide superior audiological outcomes, with better AB gap closure and reduced aural fullness, compared to full-thickness grafts, without compromising the high graft uptake rate.
Keywords: Full thickness cartilage graft, Partial thickness cartilage graft, tympanic membrane, tympanoplasty, perforation.