Management of chronic otitis by middle ear obliteration with blind sac closure of the external auditory canal.

OBJECTIVE

Description of a technique of middle ear obliteration (MEO) with blind sac closure of the external auditory canal with discussion of the indications for its use in cases of recalcitrant chronic otitis and in far advanced disease.

PATIENTS: All patients underwent otologic examination and audiologic and radiologic assessments in a quaternary center.

RESULTS

Fifty-three cases of MEO were analyzed. For 9 patients, primary surgery was performed. One case of residual disease was identified. The minimum follow-up was 2 years.

CONCLUSION

The decision to perform a MEO is one that is made only rarely. However, this is a technique that should be part of every otologist's armamentarium. Whereas the indications for its use are more straightforward in an ear with unserviceable hearing, a MEO is occasionally required in an ear with good cochlear reserve due the severity of disease. All of our patients managed by MEO have had an improvement in their quality of life and a high rate of successful eradication of disease.