Results of 1065 operations (604 myringoplasties‡ and 461 tympanoplasties §) performed by a single surgeon using either underlay homograft dura, underlay autograft temporalis fascia or overlay autograft temporalis fascia are compared.

Pre-operative and operative conditions are analysed to determine which of these influence results.

Fascia and preserved homologous vein and pericardium have been used in consecutive order in 250 ear operations. Though successful closure of the defect, in cases with chronic ear infection, tended to be better with pericardium, auditory gain with pericardium seemed to be less than with fascia and vein. The differences, however, were not statistically significant. For the reason that it is easier to obtain, vein is the graft of choice in our institution when homologous graft is needed.

Sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy is a rare, benign lympho-proliferative disorder of unknown aetiology that chiefly affects the cervical lymphnodes of children. Various extranodal manifestations are recognized, especially in the head and neck. A case is described in a Nigerian child that illustrates problems of differential diagnosis.