Outcomes of Cartilage Tympanoplasty in Children

This study evaluates the anatomical and hearing outcomes of cartilage tympanoplasty in pediatric patients with chronic tympanic membrane perforations. A perforation (hole) in the eardrum in children can lead to recurrent ear discharge, chronic middle-ear infections, and conductive hearing loss. Cartilage tympanoplasty is a surgical technique that uses autologous cartilage (the patient\'s own cartilage tissue) to reconstruct and seal the eardrum. Cartilage is known for its rigidity and resistance to retraction, which may offer advantages in children who frequently experience middle-ear pressure and ventilation issues. Children aged 8 to 18 years presenting with large, subtotal, or persistent dry central perforations will undergo cartilage tympanoplasty at Assiut University Hospitals. All participants will undergo standardized pre-surgical and post-surgical evaluations, including otological microscopic examinations and pure-tone audiometry tests. The main objectives are to evaluate the graft success rate (complete anatomical closure and stability of the eardrum) and to measure functional hearing restoration, specifically changes in air-conduction thresholds and the air-bone gap (ABG).