A Comparison of the Sticky Bone Obliteration Technique and Obliteration Using S53P4 Bioactive Glass After Canal Wall Down Ear Surgery: A Preliminary Study.

The aim of this study was to analyse the results of the mastoid obliteration technique with sticky bone (SB) and compare them with those obtained using bioactive glass S53P4 (BAG). This prospective preliminary study comprised 28 adults who underwent canal wall down (CWD) surgery using two mastoid obliterative techniques: SB ( = 21) or BAG ( = 7). The SB group was treated with the patients' own bone dust and injectable platelet rich fibrin (IPRF) ( = 13%) or bone dust, IPRF, and additionally allogenic lyophilised demineralised bone ( = 9%). Nine months after the surgery, in the SB group, retroauricular depression was observed in three (14%) patients, temporary retroauricular fistula in one (5%), and a conical and smooth external auditory canal (EAC) was achieved in 15 (71%). Mean EAC capacity was 0.6 mL higher than in the contralateral ear. In the SB group, the tympanic membrane (TM) of nineteen (91%) patients was fully healed, one (5%) had TM perforation, and one (5%) developed a retraction pocket. In the BAG group, retroauricular depression was observed in four (57%) patients, temporary retroauricular fistula was present in one (14%), and a conical and smooth EAC was achieved in five (71%). Mean EAC capacity was 0.3 mL higher than on the opposite side. In the BAG group, we stated six (86%) patients with fully healed TM and one (14%) with a retraction pocket. One cholesteatoma was found in the BAG group and two in SB, (14% vs. 10%). After 9 months, all patients in both groups achieved a dry and self-cleaning cavity. Mastoid obliteration in CWD surgery using SB or BAG allows for reconstruction of the conical shape of the EAC with a volume similar to that of a healthy ear. Both techniques seem to have a minimal risk of complications and result in a dry, self-cleaning cavity. Further studies concerning a larger series of cases are necessary to confirm the findings of this preliminary analysis.