Modified Canal Wall Down Mastoidectomy Without Meatoplasty

It is important to decide which procedure to employ between canal wall up mastoidectomy and canal wall down mastoidectomy (CWDM) as each procedure has its own advantages and disadvantages. To combine the advantages and compensate the disadvantages of each procedure, various methods and approaches have been devised. Mastoid and epitympanic obliteration, which minimizes the dead space in the mastoid cavity, was previously known to prevent the occurrence of retraction pockets. We performed mastoid and epitympanic obliteration also to prevent the occurrence of cavity problems without meatoplasty. Here we describe the surgical procedures for modified CWDM without meatoplasty and mastoid obliteration using autologous materials.

Endoscopic-Assisted Canal Wall-up Tympanomastoidectomy for Reduction of Residual Cholesteatoma

Introduction The treatment of cholesteatoma is generally surgical, and the major obstacle is the high prevalence of recidivism. The endoscopic ear surgery technique is proposed to minimize this problem. Objectives To utilize endoscopes to visualize and manipulate cholesteatoma residues after microscopic removal Methods Cross-sectional study. Thirty-two patients with cholesteatoma underwent microscopic wall-up mastoidectomy combined with the endoscopic approach. The subjects were assessed for the presence and location of covert disease. Results Of the 32 cases, 17 (53.12%) had residual cholesteatoma in the endoscopic phase. Minimal disease was found, usually fragments of the cholesteatoma matrix. Pars tensa cholesteatomas had more covert disease than pars flaccida cholesteatomas (62.50% vs 43.75%). Posterior recesses (47.05%) and tegmen tympani (41.17%) were the locations with more covert disease (p < 0.05). Conclusion Cholesteatomas of the pars tensa presented more residual disease and were significantly more common in the posterior recesses and tegmen tympani.

Correlation between functional outcome and the SAMEO-ATO framework

Purpose To evaluate the recently proposed SAMEO-ATO framework for middle ear and mastoid surgery, by correlating it with the functional outcome in a large cohort of patients operated for middle ear and mastoid cholesteatoma in a tertiary referral center. Methods We retrospectively included all surgeries for middle ear and mastoid cholesteatoma undergone in our Department between January 2009 and December 2014, by excluding revision surgeries, congenital and petrous bone cholesteatoma. All surgeries were classified according to the SAMEO-ATO framework. The post-operative air bone gap (ABG) was calculated and chosen as benchmark parameter for the correlation analysis. Results 282 consecutive surgeries for middle ear and mastoid cholesteatoma were released in the study period on a total of 273 patients, with a mean age of 41.2 years. All patients were followed for an average period of 55.3 months. 54% of patients underwent M2c mastoidectomy (Canal Wall Down, CWD), while the remaining underwent Canal Wall Up (CWU) procedures, being M1b2a mastoidectomy the most common one (33%). Mean pre-operative and post-operative ABGs were 29.2 and 23.5 dB, with a significant improvement (p < 0.0001). ‘Mastoidectomy’ and ‘Ossicular reconstruction’ parameters of SAMEO-ATO showed significant association with postoperative ABG, with smaller residual gaps for the classes Mx and On, and worse hearing results for M3a and Ox. Conclusion Our results show the utility of SAMEO-ATO framework, and in particular of ‘M’ (Mastoidectomy) and ‘O’ (Ossicular reconstruction) parameters, in predicting the hearing outcome.

Middle-ear or mastoid granulation pathology associated with retraction of the pars flaccida and low-pitched tinnitus

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the clinical features and outcomes of patients with middle-ear granulation pathologies associated with attic retractions. Method The clinical records of adult patients with middle-ear granulation pathologies and attic retractions confirmed via computed tomography and surgical exploration between January 2012 and January 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Results A total of 59 patients were included. Endoscopic examination showed a normal pars tensa but retraction of the pars flaccida in all patients. No granulation tissue or debris were observed. Low-pitched tinnitus was the principal complaint of 55 patients (100 per cent), followed by ear fullness (14 patients, 23.7 per cent). Of the 59 patients, 52 patients (88.1 per cent) underwent canal wall up mastoidectomy and 7 patients (11.9 per cent) underwent endoscopic endaural atticoantrotomy. No ossicular chain destruction was evident. All patients were followed up for 12 months. Tinnitus disappeared completely in 48 patients (81.4 per cent), improved significantly in 9 patients (15.3 per cent) and improved mildly in 2 patients (3.3 per cent). Conclusion A granulation tissue pathology should be considered when a patient complains of low-pitched tinnitus and exhibits retraction of the pars flaccida. Computed tomography and surgical exploration should be scheduled.

Comparison of hearing outcome using ossiculoplasty with autologous incus versus titanium prosthesis

<p><strong>Background: </strong>The aim of the study is to compare the efficacy of autologous incus versus allogenic titanium prosthesis in terms of anatomical results, hearing gain after surgery, operative course and complications.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> This is a prospective interventional study of 20 patients out of which 10 underwent autologus incus and 10 underwent titanium prosthesis ossiculoplasties performed between April 2018 To April 2019 in Government Kilpauk medical college and hospital, Chennai after ethical clearance. The postoperative improvement of mean air-bone gap and air conduction over same frequencies between the two groups were studied. A improvement in pure tone average more than 10 dB was considered successful.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> In current study, 10 patients underwent ossiculoplasties using titanium ossicular replacement prosthesis and 10 patients underwent ossiculoplasties using autologous incus. 5 of the patients in each group underwent canal wall up and 5 underwent canal wall down procedure. The average ABG closure was 9.30 dB in incus group and 15.22 dB in titanium group.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Titanium ossicular prosthesis ossiculoplasties provide a significant hearing gain and are advantageous because of the easy insertion with pre-sculpted structure yet the cost is a concern. Better results were noted in canal wall up procedures more than canal wall down procedures.</p>