Endaural meatoplasty: the Whipps Cross technique.

OBJECTIVE

To describe our technique of endaural meatoplasty for mastoid surgery, and to publish an online video demonstration.

METHOD

After the endaural incision, a skin incision is accurately marked over the anterior conchal bowl, identified by pushing the anti-helix anteriorly. This should meet the line of the endaural incision superiorly and extend inferiorly to the lower anterior edge of the conchal cartilage. After performing the incision, a segment of conchal cartilage is removed. The soft tissue meatoplasty is facilitated by resecting a triangular segment of skin and underlying soft tissue medial to the conchal incision (on which it is based). The free edges are closed with absorbable sutures after the (attico)mastoidectomy.

RESULTS

We have used this method on 64 patients over the past two years. Satisfactory functional and cosmetic outcomes were achieved in all.

CONCLUSION

Our technique is simple, easy to learn, quick and effective in helping to achieve our goal of a dry mastoid cavity with an adequate meatoplasty.