The Effect of the Körner's Septum on Graft and Hearing Success after Type 1 Tympanoplasty

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of Korner's septum (KS) on graft success and hearing in patients who were treated with type 1 tympanoplasty. STUDY DESIGN: An observational study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Health Sciences, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, Turkey, from July 2013 to July 2018. METHODOLOGY: Patients undergoing type 1 tympanoplasty were divided into 2 groups as patients with KS and without KS (WKS), according to the findings of high-resolution computed tomography of the temporal bone. Two different grafts (fascia and cartilage) in two groups (KS and WKS) were compared for graft success rate of different graft materials and pre- and postoperative hearing levels. The effect of the presence of KS on hearing was examined. RESULTS: The anatomical graft success rate of type 1 tympanoplasty was 75.9% in the KS group and 88.5% in the WKS group (p = 0.026). In the presence of KS, graft success rate decreased with the use of a fascia graft (p = 0.044). In the presence of KS, the use of cartilage graft did not affect functional hearing; whereas, poor functional outcomes were obtained in ears operated using a temporalis fascia graft in the KS group than in the WKS group (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: KS adversely affects graft success in type 1 tympanoplasty. Cartilage should be preferred as the graft material for patients with KS.