Tympanoplasty now frequently uses cartilage to repair bone lysis in the external auditory canal (EAC) and to reinforce the tympanic membrane. Once in place, however, the cartilage may complicate ossiculoplasty by obstructing visualization of the stapedial region. Posterior tympanotomy, when included in the tympanoplasty procedure, may provide an interesting means of positioning the ossiculoplasty.