Effects of Sacrificing Tensor Tympani Muscle Tendon When Manubrium of Malleus Is Foreshortened in Type I Tympanoplasty

The current study aims at observing effects of sacrificing the tensor tympani tendon when manubrium of malleus is foreshortened or retracted on graft uptake, hearing improvement, and occurrence of complications if any during type I tympanoplasty surgery for central perforations. 42 patients were included in group A where the tensor tendon was sectioned and 42 patients were included in group B where the tensor tympani tendon was retained and kept intact. Graft uptake rates are very good in both groups but hearing improvement was found significantly better in group A than group B. No unusual or undesired complications were seen in any of the cases. Sectioning of tensor tympani tendon is safe and effective procedure in cases where manubrium is foreshortened.

Reconstruction of the tensor tympani tendon

We describe a case in which reconstruction of the tendon of the tensor tympani muscle was necessary for the successful restoration of sound conduction.The right ear of a nine-year-old boy was treated for cholesteatoma with staged surgery. During the first operation, the tendon was cut to ensure good visibility in the tympanic cavity. Post-operatively, maintenance of aeration of the middle ear required ventilation tubes at first and Valsalva manoeuvres later on. The position of the reconstructed tympanic membrane varied a great deal, moving between the medial wall of the tympanic cavity and extreme bulging. This made exact measurement of a columella for ossicular reconstruction impossible.The preserved handle of the malleus was bound to the cochleariform process with ionomer cement, using a piece of surgical suture material as a substitute for the tendon. This arrangement prevented the tympanic membrane from undergoing excessive lateral movement after inflation and the ossicular chain was replaced with a successful ossiculoplasty with an autogenous bone ‘drum to footplate’ columella. The pre-operative 55.0 dB air–bone gap decreased immediately to 3.3 dB, widening after three years to 15.0 dB.