Optimal Graft Thickness for Different Sizes of Tympanic Membrane Perforation in Cartilage Myringoplasty: A Finite Element Analysis

Abstract

On the basis of our biomechanical analysis, the optimal thickness of a cartilage graft for myringoplasty appears to be 0.1 to 0.2 mm for medium and large TM perforations. For small perforations, a cartilage of less than 1.0 mm is a good compromise between mechanical stability and low acoustic transfer loss.