Permanent obliteration of old radical mastoid cavities combined with tympanoplasty.

An open radical mastoid cavity presents a handicap to the patient. If elimination of the cavity appears desirable, one should use an operative technique which does not incur the risk of a cholesteatoma redeveloping. In our experience obliteration of the cavity with non-resorbable methacrylate Sulfix-6 is the best way to achieve this. The arguments in favour of this view are presented and the operative technique is described.