Canal wall up tympanoplasty for middle ear cholesteatoma in adults: modeling cartilage.

OBJECTIVES

The authors report their experience with a variant cartilage tympanoplasty technique in a canal wall up (CWU) procedure for middle ear cholesteatoma, comparing reliability with other techniques. Functional results are analyzed according to ossicular chain status.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A retrospective study was performed in adults operated on with CWU tympanoplasty for middle ear cholesteatoma. The surgical technique of "modeling" cartilage is described.

RESULTS

One hundred and nine patients were included (113 procedures). There were four recurrences (3.5%). Mean follow-up was 48 months (range, 24-96 months). In case of normal ossicular chain, postoperative pure-tone average air-bone gap was always less than 20dB, and less than 20dB following myringostapedopexy in 60% of cases with incus destruction.

CONCLUSION

Modeling cartilage is a reliable reconstruction technique to prevent recurrent cholesteatoma, and contributes to the quality of functional results in ossiculoplasty.