Investigation of Mastoid Cavity Aeration Following Canal Wall Up Tympanoplasty With Mastoidectomy.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the effect of mastoid cavity aeration on recurrent cholesteatoma after canal wall up tympanoplasty with mastoidectomy in patients with cholesteatoma.

STUDY

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

University hospital.

METHODS

We analyzed 62 patients who met specific criteria and underwent initial canal wall up tympanoplasty with mastoidectomy for cholesteatoma. Postoperative mastoid cavity aeration was assessed ~1 year after surgery using computed tomography. The relationship between mastoid cavity aeration 1 year after surgery and recurrent cholesteatoma within 3 years post-surgery was explored.

RESULTS

Approximately 1 year post-surgery, 38.7% of the patients showed improved mastoid cavity aeration. The incidence of recurrent cholesteatoma after >3 years was 34.5% in cases without mastoid cavity aeration and 11.1% in cases with aeration.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that the absence of postoperative mastoid cavity aeration is associated with a higher risk of recurrent cholesteatoma. Therefore, the aeration status of the mastoid cavity at 1 year postoperatively seems to be a useful marker for determining surveillance schedule.