The Tragal Perichondrium Versus the Pretragal Fascial Grafts for Endoscopic Myringoplasty: Comparative Study

The exclusive transcanal endoscopic tympanoplasty technique emerged in the1990s : it provides a more direct and wider surgical viewing angle, largely reduces the necessity for a traumatic postauricular incision. Some otolgists have adopted this technique using the nearby tragal perichondrium/cartilage graft. The tragus has a pivotal function in reconstruction in ear surgery. The superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) was first introduced by Mits and Peyroniein1976. It is located in the mid-face overlying the parotid gland and mimic muscles, It connects the dermis and the muscles, acting as a unique motor unit to produce facial expressions. The SMAS graft has great potential because it is accessible from the least invasive transcanal route of tympanoplasty, and is located away from the vital structures.