Mastoid obliteration with hydroxyapatite cement: the Ipswich experience.

OBJECTIVE

This article reports the outcomes of a series of patients who underwent obliteration of the mastoid cavity using hydroxyapatite cement. A comparison is made with a group of patients who underwent similar surgery in the same period using hydroxyapatite granules.

STUDY DESIGN

Nonrandomized observational analysis.

SETTING

Tertiary otology unit.

PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS

All patients requiring mastoid surgery and primary obliteration or revision mastoid surgery and obliteration.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Dry cavity with full epithelialization and good tolerance to swimming at 1 year postoperatively.

RESULTS

In four of eight patients who had obliteration using hydroxyapatite cement, there was infection of the obliteration site, requiring revision. All of the patients who had obliteration with hydroxyapatite granules had dry and well-epithelialized mastoid cavities at 1-year follow-up, with ears that tolerated swimming.

CONCLUSION

The use of hydroxyapatite cement is not recommended in mastoid obliteration surgery.