Symposium: Methods of reconstruction in tympanoplasty. II. Maintenance of the anterior sulcus-tympanic membrane relationships in tympanoplastic surgery.

A technique for closure of tympanic membrane perforation which preserves the normal anterior sulcus-tympanic membrane relationships is described. This underlay fixation technique provides a high graft take, good conization of the drum, prevention of lateralization of the reconstructed drum and elimination of tenting or blunting of the anterior sulcus. The reconstructed tympanic membrane presents a near normal appearance with good physiological and acoustic properties.