The use of PDS foil in connection with cartilage facilitates surgical correction of severe septal deformities, additionally providing support for the nasal dorsum. The histological examination showed that no inflammatory or foreign body reaction occurred. Cartilage regeneration was even found. The foil was completely resorbed within 25 weeks, avoiding the long-term complications that occur with other artificial implants.

Due to the fact that the PDS foil endonasal implant means no additional risk to the patient, we can recommend the compound graft for simplification of extracorporal septoplasty.

The tubal function of 68 patients with a unilateral traumatic perforation of the tympanic membrane and 116 ears of 94 patients with chronic otitis media were examined by equalization manometry. The values obtained in the traumatic group are regarded as being characteristic of normal tubal function: the patients were able to equalize +/- 30 hPa difference in pressure with between three and seven swallows. Only 25% of the ears with a dry central perforation and none with an infected central perforation were able to fulfil this requirement.

To achieve septoplasty without compromising the surgical goal of attaining a straight and solid septum, even in cases of marked deviations or severe post-traumatic deformities, we now use a new technique in which the septal reconstruction includes the placement of a resorbable implant as a "compound graft." For this purpose the entire septal cartilage is removed, and the severely deviated part is divided into straight sections that are reconnected to each other to form a straight and solid plate. As connecting material we use a polydioxanon (PDS) foil. The sections of cartilage are sutured to the foil with PDS suture material. The compound graft thus constructed consists of the septal cartilage and resorbable alloplastic material and is reimplanted into the nose. The PDS and suture material are usually resorbed within 8 months, excluding long-term complications. During the past 2 years this method was used in treating 38 patients. The surgical goal was attained in every case, and no immediate or long-term complications occurred. This method of combining septal cartilage with a resorbable implant leads to a better, significant correction of even severe septal deviations.

The pressure changes developing in the nasopharynx and in the external auditory canal during breathing at rest were examined by means of manometry in patients with patulous eustachian tubes and in healthy control subjects who were able to keep their eustachian tubes opened for prolonged periods of time. Findings demonstrated that pressure changes in the nasopharynx in both groups were practically the same, but pressure changes in the external auditory meatuses of the patients with patulous tubes were about one order greater than in the control group. This occurrence might be caused either by relaxation of the fibers of the tympanic membrane or by different degrees of opening of the eustachian tubes.