Dimensional stability of the free fascia grafts: a human study

Abstract

Objectives/hypothesis: In animals it has been shown that autologous free fascia grafts (fascia lata and temporal fascia) change dimensions during the vital first 5 days of healing. Poor dimensional stability of these grafts can be an important reason for failure of complete closure of tympanic membrane perforations in tympanoplasty operations, particularly in large perforations. Dimensional stability of these fascias has been studied in humans.

Study design: Prospectively, 11 patients were studied.

Methods: Patients who were subjected to open mastoid cavity surgery were included in the study. The mastoid cavity was exteriorized, and the fascia graft was used to seal the perforation and cover a part of the bare mastoid bone in the routine way. At this stage, equally cut pieces of temporal fascia and fascia lata were laid on the remaining part of the bare mastoid bone. The mastoid cavity was then packed with Gelfoam and wound sutured. The pieces of graft material under study were removed after 5 days, leaving the graft used to seal the tympanic membrane perforation undisturbed. The harvested grafts were measured for their dimensional variations, if any.

Results: It was observed that free autologous temporal fascia grafts exhibited poor dimensional stability as compared with free autologous fascia lata grafts.

Conclusion: Poor dimensional stability of free temporal fascia grafts as seen in animals was confirmed in the present human study. This poor dimensional stability of temporal fascia grafts might be contributing to failure of closure of tympanic membrane perforations in tympanoplasty.