Results of window shade grafting in tympanoplasty for perforations with narrow anterior margin

Introduction: Among the many other techniques employed, window shade grafting was first described by Calcaterra in 19722. We present our experience and results using this technique of tympanic membrane grafting in perforations with narrow anterior rim. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted from 2004 to 2007. A total of 35 patients of chronic suppurative otitis media (tubotympanic type) with a perforation with narrow anterior rim were included in the study. 15 (42.8%) patients were male and 20 (57.1%) were female. The youngest patient was 9 years old and the oldest was 52 years, the mean age being 25.7 years. Conclusion: Tympanoplasty in a perforation with a narrow anterior rim has a poor result than posterior perforations primarily because of an inadequate scaffolding for the graft. Window shade tympanoplasty, therefore, gives good results in perforations with a narrow anterior rim with respect to graft take up rates as well as hearing results.