Is type 1 tympanoplasty effective in elderly patients? Comparison of fascia and perichondrium grafts

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Tympanoplasty is regularly performed in various ages but data about the procedure in elderly is insufficient. <b>Objectives:</b> To compare the success rates and hearing outcomes of fascia and perichondrium grafts used for tympanoplasty in patients >65 years and to evaluate the prognostic factors affecting the success of tympanoplasty. <b>Methods:</b> Reviewing records of 49 elderly patients underwent tympanoplasty, two groups were constituted: perichondrium (25 patients) and fascia (24 patients) groups. Ages, genders, perforation sides, type and location of perforation, graft success rates, functional success rates and air-bone gap (ABG) gains were compared. <b>Results:</b> Overall graft success rate was 85.7%. After a mean follow-up of 23.3 ± 8.32 months, overall mean ABG gain was 11.33 ± 8.42 dB. Overall median postoperative ABG value (9 dB) was significantly lower compared to the median preoperative value (24 dB) (<i>p</i> < .001). Graft success rate was higher in perichondrium group (96%) compared to fascia group (75%) (<i>p</i> = .04). Functional success rate did not significantly differ between perichondrium (68%) and fascia groups (62.5%) (<i>p</i> = .68). <b>Conclusion and significance:</b> Tympanoplasty is an effective procedure with a graft success rate of 85.7% in elderly. Both fascia and perichondrium are suitable materials; however, perichondrium had higher success rate.