[Obliteration of the Mastoid Cavity by Means of Palacos R in Order to Prevent Recurrent Cholesteatoma (author's transl)].

When treating cholesteatoma the postoperative tendency, following closed techniques, to develop retraction pockets cannot be influenced by means of a causal therapy. What can be done, however, is to prevent the retraction pocket from becoming a recurrent cholesteatoma. This can be achieved by permanently obliterating the exenterated mastoid cavity with a non resorbable plastic. The bone-cement, Palacos R, we use makes fixed contact with the walls of the operation cavity. Negative effects of such an obliteration have so far not been observed.