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Dimensional Stability of the Free Fascia Grafts: An Animal Experiment
Author(s) -
Indorewala Shabbir
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1097/00005537-200204000-00024
Subject(s) - fascia lata , tympanoplasty , medicine , fascia , temporal fascia , surgery , perforation , anatomy , punching , materials science , metallurgy
Abstract Objectives/Hypothesis It appears that autologous free fascia grafts (fascia lata and temporal fascia) change their 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. There has been no study regarding this dimensional instability. Study Design Prospectively dimensional instability of the free fascia grafts was studied in 14 mongrel dogs. Methods Fourteen healthy Mongrel dogs were operated on twice. During the first surgery, fascia lata and temporal fascia grafts of measured dimensions (length, breadth, and thickness) were implanted in the subcutaneous pockets on the thoracoabdominal wall of the same dog (autograft). Five dogs were operated on again after 2 days, and 7 dogs were operated on again after 5 days to harvest the implanted grafts. The dimensions of the harvested grafts were noted. Changes with respect to their implant dimensions after 2 days and after 5 days were calculated. Results It was found that free fascia lata exhibits significantly superior dimensional stability when compared with free temporal fascia during the early healing phase, before graft integration has occurred. Shrinking and thickening of temporal fascia are greater and are also most unpredictable . Conclusions Poor dimensional stability of temporal fascia may compromise a well‐sealed perforation at the time of surgery, and it may reopen by the 5th day. This must be one of the causes of failure of tympanoplasty, which needs to be studied further.