Form July 1992 to June 1995, 90 type – I tympanoplasties were performed indepen-dently by several senior resident doctors on selective patients for whom the first author is responsible. After a 3-month follow-up, we found that 83 ears had fascia taken. The graft take rate was 92%, and 67 ears (74%) had hearing improve-ment more than 10 dB. Major complica-tions such as total deafness, sensori-neural hearing loss and tinnitus did not occur. The third year resident can begin perform-ing type – I tympanoplasty step by stepunder the surveillance and instruction of visiting staff members. We believed that before the time the chief resident train-ings are accomplished, senior residents can head type – I tympanoplasty and even more difficult middle ear surgery on well-selected cases, and have satisfactory results.