In 1964, following an initial clinical trial, the newly created DRF supported surgeon Dr Bruce Cornish and research physician Dr (later Professor Sir) John Scott in a series of experiments to study histologically and serologically the replacement of sheep ear drums with freeze dried heart valve cusps from humans, sheep and bullocks. The ear proved to be a well tolerated “favoured” site for all 3 graft sources. This justified extensive use of homograft and heterograft valve cusps to repair or replace human ear drums which had been damaged by infection. Serological studies in humans were equally reassuring. Then in 1966 DRF supported work leading to replacement of absent ear drums with homograft ear drums complete with an attached hearing bone (malleus handle).”
The world’s first total eardrum transplant was carried out in 1965 by Sir Patrick Eisdell Moore, on a young Whanganui woman who was severely deaf. Not only was the eardrum missing but part of her tiny ear bones as well. A grafted eardrum was inserted and the absent ear bones were replaced by a tiny stainless steel wire attached to a bony strip which was part of the new transplanted drum. It worked.