Treatment of postinflammatory acquired atresia of the external auditory canal.

In 11 patients postinflammatory acquired atresia of the auditory canal, 7-15 mm thick, was excised, the drum and auditory canal covered with a Thiersch graft alone or by fascia and a Thiersch graft. 2.5-5 years after the operation there was no case of recurrence of the atresia. The functional result was most favourable in cases with atresia of minor thickness. Early operation is recommended, especially as cholesteatoma was found behind the atresia in 2 patients.