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Average thickness of tragal cartilage for slicing techniques in tympanoplasty

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 April 2015

M M Khan  and
S R Parab
M M Khan*
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Maharashtra Institute of Medical Education and Research Medical College, Pune, India
S R Parab
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Maharashtra Institute of Medical Education and Research Medical College, Pune, India
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Mubarak M Khan, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, MIMER Medical College, Pune 410507, India Fax: +91 2114 223916 E-mail: drmubarakkhan@yahoo.co.in
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Abstract

Background:

Cartilage-perichondrial grafts are often used for tympanic membrane and middle-ear reconstructions. Tragal and conchal cartilages are most frequently used for this purpose. Studies have shown that slicing the cartilage to less than 0.5 mm thickness improves acoustic benefit. However, the thickness of the cartilage in a given population may not be uniform.

Objective:

This descriptive cross-sectional study aimed to determine the average thickness of tragal cartilage (in terms of age and sex) in an Indian population.

Method:

A prospective study of 61 tragal cartilages harvested during serial tympanoplasty and modified radical mastoidectomy were analysed according to thickness.

Results:

The total average thickness of tragal cartilage was 1.228 ± 0.204 mm in males and 1.090 ± 0.162 mm in females. The overall thickness was 1.018 ± 0.139 mm in those aged less than 15 years, 1.139 ± 0.238 mm in those aged 15–30, and 1.189 ± 0.155 mm in those aged over 30 years.

Conclusion:

The findings help us to determine age-related cartilage thickness for slicing techniques in tympanoplasty.

Keywords

External Ear CartilageComparative AnatomyTympanoplasty

Information

Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 129 , Issue 5 , May 2015 , pp. 435 - 439
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2015 

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References

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