A modification to traditional combined approach tympanoplasty]

A modified method of traditional combined approach tympanoplasty (CAT) was performed on for 86 cases (89 ears). The patients were followed-up on for 18-50 months. No recurrent cholesteatoma or cochlear hearing impairments were found, and all the tympanic membranes had healed. The results of pure tone hearing tests showed that 66 ears (74%) had partial hearing (higher than 30 dB HL level), 56 ears (63%) had a small gap between BC and AC (< 10 dB HL), 10 ears (11%) had no hearing improvement. The total effective rate (the pure tone hearing improved more than 10 dB HL after operation) was 89% (79 ears). The clinical application of this kind of modified operation method had shown its important significance in thoroughly removing the diseased tissue, in preventing recurrent or residual cholesteatoma, in substantial hearing reconstruction and in improving the function of tympanum. Also the indication of combined approach tympanoplasty has been extended.