Aim: Several graft placement methods have been described in tympanoplasty. The aim of this study is to assess the surgical effects of the endoscopic tympanoplasty utilizing inlay cartilage or underlay cartilage graft.

Methods: We reviewed medical records of 123 patients who experienced endoscopic tympanoplasty for chronic otitis media with a minimum twelve-month follow-up period. Perforations were divided into central, posterior, and anterior ones based on the place of the perforation to malleus handle. Graft success rate, air conduction pure tone audiometry (PTA) before surgery and after surgery, hearing gain and air bone gap (ABG) reduction were calculated following surgery.

Results: No significant difference was found between the groups in terms of the distribution of the follow-up period, age, perforation location, and gender (p>0.05). The average air conductions (AC) before surgery and after surgery for the inlay group were 36.3 ± 13.7 dB and 25.4 ± 12.3 dB 6 months after surgery and 22.5 ± 10.5 dB 12 months after surgery. They were 35.6 ± 13.3 dB and 24.8 ± 12.4 dB 6 months after surgery and 22.7 ± 9.7 12 months after surgery for the underlay group. A significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of ABG (P=0.037). There was no significant difference in the mean ABG in each group (small perforation P =0.473, medium perforation P=0.876 and large perforation P=0.341).

Conclusion: The inlay method can be used with high graft success rate, low risk of complications among the appropriate patients, and shorter operation time as a reliable surgical option for treatment.

Keywords: Endoscopic tympanoplasty, middle ear, inlay cartilage, underlay cartilage, chronic otitis media.