Open mastoidectomy and temporalis flap in the control of chronic otorrhoea.

Open mastoid surgery still remains a principal operative treatment for chronic discharging ear. The indications for this procedure still abound in the tropics although it is rarely done in the developed countries nowadays. This series re-emphasize the control of chronic otorrhoea and operative wound infection as benefiting from a combined open mastoidectomy and reconstruction with deep temporalis fascia flap in children. The operative technique is further discussed. It is our hope that repopularising this procedure will help in the control of highly prevalent chronic ear in the tropical environment.