Ten years of experience in tympanoplasty using homologous implants

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Abstract
The essential factor in introducing the use of homologous implants was not only to use a new material but an attempt to approach a newly defined microsurgical concept, namely the restoration of the normal functional anatomy in the middle ear. While a cartilage graft may provide an excellent substitution material for producing a columellar effect, and conjunctiva or fascia may be excellent materials for restoring a vibrating membrane, only a human tympanic membrane, only a human ossicular chain and only a combination of these 2 as a tympano-ossicular implant, give an integrated restoration. Such an integrated restoration of the tympano-ossicular system requires a sufficiently conservative technique to prepare the bed for the graft and yet allow a complete excision of the pathology. The use of homograft typano-ossicular transplants in surgical reconstruction of the ear is good and provides lasting results.