[Efficacy of conventional methods of treating otitis media purulenta chronica in patients with cholesteatoma and fistula of the labyrinth].

Efficacy of two routine surgical methods was compared in patients with otitis media purulenta chronica having cholesteatoma and fistula. Twenty five patients were operated on the middle ear with preservation of cholesteatoma matrix fragment on fistula of the labyrinth (FL). Forty five patients were operated with plastic reconstruction of the fistula with autotissues. The acoustic and vestibular functions were studied before and after the operation, 3 years later using roentgenography of the temporal bones and high performance computed tomography of the temporal bones. As the results of surgery in both groups of patients were similar, both techniques can be applied in detection of FL at operation. It is shown that in unaffected acoustic and vestibular functions in conditions of active inflammation in the middle ear, it is advisable while operating on the middle ear to preserve matrix of cholesteatoma on FL of any location.