Epitympanoplasty with mastoid obliteration technique: a long-term study of results.

OBJECTIVE

To report the long-term results of epitympanoplasty with mastoid obliteration technique.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Two hundred adult cases had undergone epitympanoplasty with mastoid obliteration from December 1994 to May 2003. The mean postoperative observation period was 91 months, with a minimum of five years. Epitympanoplasty with mastoid obliteration technique has four major procedures: the widening of the external auditory canal and removal of the scutum; preservation of the posterior canal wall; epitympanoplasty; and mastoid obliteration. We examined postoperative complications and hearing outcomes.

RESULTS

There was no retraction pocket formation and recurrence of cholesteatoma. Residual cholesteatoma in the tympanic cavity was seen in 10 cases (5%) and three cases were seen in the mastoid cavity (1.5%). Other complications were otorrhea (15 cases), perforation (8 cases), material extrusion (6 cases), and posterior auricular infection (4 cases). The average preoperative pure tone air-bone gap, postoperative pure tone air-bone gap, and air-bone gap closure were 31.5 +/- 12.4 dB, 25.3 +/- 12.2 dB, and 6.2 +/- 12.6 dB, respectively. There were significant differences between the preoperative and postoperative values (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The authors believe that epitympanoplasty with mastoid obliteration technique can combine the advantages of canal wall down and canal wall up techniques while improving their shortcomings.