Canal Wall Down Mastoidectomy Research Articles

Visual Field Improvement and Electrode Extrusion Prevention by Extended Endaural Incision With Cavity Obliteration for Cochlear Implantation in Ears After Canal Wall-Down Mastoidectomy: Experience of Four Cases.

There is no global consensus on the surgical technique of cochlear implantation (CI) in ears with an open cavity after canal wall-down (CWD) mastoidectomy. Here, we report CI surgery with an endauralincision for the ears after CWD mastoidectomy. The endaural incision was extended upward to obliterate the open cavity of the temporal fascial flap. The endaural incision was extended downward to close the open cavity inlet. After inserting the implanted electrode, the open cavity was obliterated using a temporal fascial flap, and the cavity was closed at the inlet. We performed this type of CI surgery in four ears in three patients. This extended endaural incision provided an excellent view for pedicling the temporal fascial flap with the superficial temporal artery and for open cavity closure without any serious complications. This technique allowed us to opt for CI surgery of the ears after CWD mastoidectomy.

A Novel Technique of Reduction Meatoplasty for Correction of Very Large Meatus from a Previous Canal Wall-Down Mastoidectomy.

To evaluate the efficacy of reduction meatoplasty, a novel technique aiming to improve the usage of molded hearing aids and ear plugs in patients undergoing mastoid obliteration of a previous canal wall-down (CWD) mastoidectomy, complicated with a very large meatus. Twenty-six patients from a tertiary care neurotology clinic with a very large meatus from a previous CWD mastoidectomy, who were unable to use molded hearing aids or ear plugs for water protection. Reduction meatoplasty after mastoid obliteration (cartilage strips and bone pate) of the CWD mastoidectomy. The procedure involves removing a wedge of skin and underlying soft tissue superiorly in the meatus. Reduction in meatus size, enabling usage of hearing aids and ear plugs. Twenty-six patients underwent mastoid obliteration and reduction meatoplasty to reduce meatus size. Patients were followed up for an average of 22 months postoperation. After operation, the meatus size was significantly reduced in all patients, enabling usage of over-the-counter ear plugs. In addition, all six patients with hearing aids could use standard occlusive hearing aid domes without requiring molded hearing aids. No patients showed symptoms of chronic infection in the mastoid cavity during the follow-up period. Results of reduction meatoplasty showed significant improvements in functionality of the external auditory meatus, indicating that this technique is effective in reducing meatus size and improving the normal meatal anatomy after mastoid obliteration.

Malignant type of chronic suppurative otitis media with subperiosteal abscess complications: A case report

A 16-year-old male patient suffers from malignant Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (CSOM) with subperiosteal abscess complication. The patient has a history of intermittent discharge from the right ear, since his age of 9 years old and never received any treatment. Ear examination was normal in the left ear. In the right ear, the external acoustic canal is narrow, there is no discharge and the tympanic membrane is difficult to evaluate. Examination of the nose revealed no abnormalities. The throat examination revealed no abnormalities. In the right temporoparietal region, there was a lump measuring 9x8 cm, redness, tenderness, warmth and fluctuating. In this patient, incision and drainage were performed. Furthermore, we did dilatation and drainage of the abscess every day until no pus is formed. After that, it was followed by a right canal wall-down mastoidectomy. Intraoperatively, cholesteatoma, granulation, and pus were found in the mastoid cavity, antrum, and tympanic cavity, closing the orifice of the Eustachian tube. Destruction of the incus, scutum, and posterior wall of the external acoustic canal. Perforated tympanic membrane. Tissues suspected of cholesteatoma were examined for anatomic pathology. From the results of anatomical pathology, histomorphology was found to be suitable for cholesteatoma. The principle of therapy for the malignant types of CSOM (with cholesteatoma) is surgery for cholesteatoma eradication and reconstruction. Treatment of subperiosteal abscess includes intravenous antibiotics, incision and drainage of the abscess, and mastoidectomy.

Allograft bone vs. bioactive glass in rehabilitation of canal wall-down surgery

Canal wall-down (CWD) mastoidectomy creates a radical cavity that modifies the anatomy and physiology of the middle ear, thus preventing it from being self-cleaning and causing epidermal stagnation in the posterior cavities. Canal wall-down tympanomastoidectomy with reconstruction (CWDTwR) can obliterate such radical cavities. The main objective of this study was to compare postoperative results after CWDTwR by using either bone allografts or 45S5 bioactive glass as a filling tissue with an 18-month follow-up. This was a single-center observational trial including all patients undergoing CWDTwR. Patients were divided into two groups according to the filling material used: allograft bone (AB group) or 45S5 bioactive glass (BG group). Clinical monitoring was performed regularly, with control imaging performed at 18 months (CT scan and DW MRI). The two groups were compared with the t test for quantitative variables and the chi square test for qualitative variables (no revision surgery, audiometric results, complications, mastoid obliteration volume). Thirty-two patients underwent CWDTwR between October 2015 and 2018. The mean age was 48 years, and 71.9% (23/32) were men. A total of 46.9% (15/32) of the patients had undergone at least 3 middle-ear surgeries prior to CWDTwR. The most frequent preoperative symptom was otorrhea (100.0%, 32/32), and only 12.5% (4/32) experienced dizziness. Fifteen and 17 patients underwent surgery with bone allografts and 45S5 bioactive glass, respectively. At 18 months post-operation, 53.3% of the patients (8/15) in the AB group presented with recurrent otorrhea versus 5.9% (1/17) of patients in the BG group (p = 0.005). Seventy-eight percent (7/9) of symptomatic patients had undergone revision surgery at 18 months postoperation: 40.0% (6/15) in the AB group and 5.9% (1/17) in the BG group (p = 0.033). One patient’s surgery was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and one patient refused surgery. The effects of CWDTwR with bone allografts are disappointing in early follow-up, with significant resorption leading to a 40.0% revision surgery rate. 45S5 BG is a simple solution, with preliminary results that are superior to those of AB. However, prospective controlled studies with longer follow-up times are needed to evaluate the value of BG versus other synthetic materials (such as hydroxyapatite) in surgical management of CWDTwR.Trial registration: retrospectively registered.

Canal wall up versus canal wall down mastoidectomy techniques in the pediatric population with cholesteatoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies.

The optimal surgical management of cholesteatoma remains controversial. Within pediatric otolaryngology, one of the most vital points of contention is the selection of canal wall-up (CWU) versus canal wall-down (CWD) procedures. Pediatric cholesteatoma has high rates of recurrence (16%-54%). In adults, there is evidence that the selection of surgical techniques affects recurrence rates. This has not been shown in children. 1. To systematically review the literature on recurrent and residual cholesteatoma after CWU and CWD in children and perform a meta-analysis of the data. 2. To assess the rates of recurrent and residual cholesteatoma between CWU and CWD techniques in pediatric patients. 3. To assess hearing outcomes by evaluating postoperative differences in the air-bone gap (ABG) between CWU and CWD techniques. A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Collaboration was performed from inception to May 1st, 2020, to identify studies that compared CWU and CWD procedures for acquired cholesteatoma in children. Search records were screened in duplicate by four reviewers. Inclusion criteria consisted of comparative randomized clinical trials and observational studies assessing outcomes of CWU and CWD techniques in the pediatric population. Studies involving patients with congenital cholesteatoma were excluded. Four reviewers working independently and in duplicate systematically reviewed and extracted study data. Dichotomous variables were analyzed as risk ratios (RR), while continuous variables were compared using weighted mean differences (MD). The risk of bias was assessed using the CLARITY Scale. The outcomes were recurrence, residual disease, air-bone gap (ABG), and air conductive (AC) thresholds. After screening 1036 publications, 17 retrospective cohort studies were selected. 1333 children were included; the overall mean age was ten years (SD 7.9), and the overall mean follow-up time was 5.9 years (SD 6.6). CWU and CWD techniques were performed in 60% (796) and 40% (537) cases. We did not find differences in cholesteatoma recurrence (RR: 1.50, 95% CI 0.94; 2.40; n=544; I2 0%; Tau [2]: 0.00), or rates of residual cholesteatoma (RR 1.51, 95% CI 0.96; 2.38, n=506; I2: 0%; Tau [2]: 0.00) in patients who underwent CWU and CWD mastoidectomy. The mean air-bone gap was lower with CWU than CWD (mean difference: 7.60, 95% CI -10.65; -4.54; n=242; I2: 71%; Tau [2]: 5.98). and relevance: We show similar rates of recurrence and residual disease after either CWU or CWD tympanoplasty. Our results challenge the fundamental principle of CWD surgery as a standard technique, as there is no difference in rates of recurrence and residual disease in CWU and CWD. Moreover, audiometric results support CWU with improved hearing outcomes. PROSPERO identifier: CRD42020184029.

A comparative study of hearing outcome in cholesteatoma surgery canal wall up versus canal wall downmastoidectomy in 100 patients

Cholesteatoma is a well-demarcated sac of keratinizing squamous epithelium in the temporal bone, which is commonly characterized as “skin in the wrong place. The major goal of surgery for cholesteatoma is to make the ear safe and dry with increasing concern of the hearing outcome of patients. Two main surgical techniques employed are Canal Wall down (CWD) and Canal Wall up Mastoidectomy (CWU). In the current study, an attempt would be made to evaluate which technique would be better for achieving disease clearance with favorable hearing outcome and dry ear.1. To evaluate the hearing results following CWU and CWD surgery in patient with cholesteatoma.2. To decide surgical approach according to extension of disease.Materials and Methods:This is a prospective study involving 100 patients with cholesteatoma who had undergone CWD and CWU surgery over the period of 3 years.The choice of mastoidectomy, CWD or CWU, was the decision of the surgeon, after completely evaluating the patient, preoperatively and intraoperatively. All cases were followed up & assessed by autoscopic examination & PTA for minimum of 3 months. In the CWD group, mean hearing gain, in 3 months was 12±1.73dB. In the CWU group, hearing gain in 3 month postoperative period was 18±2.06 dB. Also the hearing gain between the two groups was compared and it was found to be statistically significant for the 3 months (p=0.0002) postoperatively; signifying that there was a comparable difference for CWU over CWD mastoidectomy in the matter of Hearing Gain. SNHL was also seen post operatively in both group. Total 3 (6%) patient in CWU had SNHL post operatively in comparison to 7(14%) patients in CWD. From our study results, we think that CWU is superior to the CWD surgery in cases of cholesteatoma because of good post-operative hearing outcome as well as less complication and law morbidity. CWD surgery should be used in cases of extensive cholesteatoma, mental retardation, not sure about follow up and inadequate middle ear space cases.

Complex Case of Skull Base Osteomyelitis Secondary to Chronic Otitis Media.

We present a case of a 58-year-old male with type II diabetes managed with metformin and insulin, who presented to the clinic with left chronic otitis media, persistent drainage, a stenotic meatus, and a prior history of 3 canal wall-down mastoidectomies and antibiotic therapy. A revision tympanoplasty with mastoidectomy was performed, and during the postoperative period, the patient had persistent pain and otorrhea, which were managed with opioids and several courses of antibiotic therapy. After symptoms persisted, imaging and culture ultimately led to the diagnosis of fungal skull base osteomyelitis, which was eventually treated successfully. While these complications are rare, their likelihood is increased with treatment delay and in the immunocompromised patient. Close management of immunocompromised patients, including diabetic patients, is vital in identifying complications early to aid in timely diagnosis and treatment to lead to the best possible outcome.

The effect of bony obliteration on quality of life after tympano-mastoidectomy surgery: A prospective observational controlled cohort study.

The study's primary objective was to compare the quality of life (QoL) and external auditory canal (EAC) hygiene among patients who underwent bony mastoid obliteration or meatoplasty after canal wall down (CWD) mastoidectomy. A prospective, observational, controlled cohort study was conducted at our tertiary referral university hospital. Twenty-eight patients older than 16 years of age with chronic otitis media who underwent CWD mastoidectomy were included. Two cohorts were followed: CWD mastoidectomy followed by mastoid obliteration (Group 1, n = 14) and CWD mastoidectomy followed by meatoplasty (Group 2, n = 14). The main outcome measures of total COMBI score (postoperative 6-month QoL) and EAC hygiene were compared between the groups. The average age of the patients was 36.14 (12. 22) years; 15 (53.6%) were female and 13 (46.4%) were male. There were no differences in demographic variables, preoperative findings, or COMQ-12 (preoperative QoL) scores between groups. The average COMBI score of Group 1 (49.0 [8.66]) was not significantly different from Group 2 (46.79 [7.76]) (p = .482). Poor EAC hygiene was observed in eight (57.1%) patients in Group 2 and three (21.4%) patients in Group 1 (p = .06). In Group 1, no resorption of graft material was observed in 10 (71.4%) patients, minor resorption was observed in three (21.4%) patients, and significant resorption was observed in one (7.1%) patient. There were no significant differences in audiological findings between groups (p > .05). There were no significant differences regarding short-term postoperative QoL, EAC hygiene, or hearing outcomes between patients who underwent bony mastoid obliteration or meatoplasty after CWD mastoidectomy. 1b (individual prospective cohort study).

Delayed-Onset Unilateral Facial Paralysis After Mastoidectomy: A Case Report

ABSTRACT
 Objective: To discuss the case of a 36-year-old man who presented with left unilateral facial paralysis 11 days after mastoidectomy.Methods:     Design: Case Report     Setting: Tertiary Government Training Hospital     Patient: OneResults: A 36-year-old man with recurrent left ear discharge of 30 years duration underwent left canal wall-down mastoidectomy and was discharged well after 3 days. On follow up after 8 more days, he was noted to have House Brackmann IV left facial paralysis. Following 5 days methylprednisolone, neurologic evaluation and physical therapy rehabilitation, facial paralysis improved in the ensuing weeks until House-Brackmann I was achieved at week 12.Conclusion: Delayed-onset Facial Palsy (DFP) following tympanomastoid surgery may be approached conservatively, including steroids, acyclovir, and, if with a history of herpes or varicella infection, immunization can be given. Prognosis for DFP is good especially when the facial nerve is identified intraoperatively during otologic surgeries

Comparative Analysis of the Hearing Effects of Partial Ossicular Replacement Prosthesis Versus Conchal Cartilage in Canal Wall Down Mastoidectomy with Type II Tympanoplasty: A Retrospective Case Review Study.

To investigate the effects of titanium partial ossicular replacement prosthesis (PORP) and conchal cartilage for ossiculoplasty on hearing results in single-stage canal wall down (CWD) mastoidectomy surgery with type II tympanoplasty in patients with cholesteatoma. The patients were performed surgeries for the first time by a senior otosurgeon from 2009 to 2022 and were performed CWD mastoidectomy with type II tympanoplasty in one stage were enrolled. Patients who could not be followed up were excluded. Titanium PORP or conchal cartilage was used for ossiculoplasty. When the stapes head was intact, a cartilage 1.2-1.5mm thick was attached directly to the stapes; when the head of the stapes was eroded, a 1mm high PORP and cartilage of .2-.5mm thick were placed on the stapes simultaneously. 148 patients were included in the study in total. The titanium PORP and conchal cartilage groups showed no statistically significant differences at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000Hz considering the number of decibels of closure of the air-bone gap (ABG) (P > .05) and pure-tone average ABG (PTA-ABG) (P > .05). Meanwhile, the closure of PTA-ABG between the 2 groups showed no statistically significant differences in the overall distribution (P > .05). For patients with cholesteatoma and mobile stapes who underwent CWD mastoidectomy with type II tympanoplasty in one stage, either PORP or conchal cartilage is a satisfactory material for ossiculoplasty.

Analysis of hearing outcome following canal wall up and canal wall down mastoidectomy in squamosal type of chronic suppurative otitis media: A comparative study

Background: Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is a major health issue in developing countries causing persistent problem and may lead to life-threatening complications. This major health issue and its complications can be best avoided by early and effective treatment. Aims and Objectives: The aim is to compare the outcome in terms of hearing improvement following canal wall up and canal wall down mastoid surgery. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was conducted in Otorhinolaryngology Department of a Burdwan Medical College and Hospital, Burdwan, a tertiary care hospital in Burdwan from April 2019 to August 2020 and 50 clinically diagnosed cases of COM (Squamous type) were included in this study after through history taking and meticulous clinical examination. Patients were divided in two Groups (Group-A and Group-B) with 25 patients in each group randomly and Group-A patients undergone canal wall up mastoidectomy and Group-B patients undergone canal wall down mastoidectomy (CWDM). Now, before performing surgery, a pre-operative pure tone audiometry was performed for each of the patients and a follow-up pure tone audiometry was done again, 2-month post-operative period. These results were compared to assess the degree of hearing improvement in the two different operative procedures, namely, canal wall up and CWDM. Results: In Group-A, the mean hearing gain (mean±SD) of patients was 12.5700±0.9856. In Group-B, the mean hearing gain (mean±SD) of patients was 8.4200±5.0051. Difference of mean hearing gain with both groups was statistically significant (P=0.0002). Chi-square value: 0.1678; P=0.9195. Conclusion: Hearing gain was more with canal wall up compared to CWDM in CSOM which was statistically significant.

Cholesteatoma of the External Auditory Canal Simulating a Petrous Tumor: Case Report

Introduction: “Skin in the wrong place”; cholesteatoma is a non-neoplastic lesion; hardly ever found in the external ear cavity. This affection; secondary or spontaneously, poses diagnostic and therapeutic challenges; one due to its numerous differential diagnosis lead by the absence of pathognomonic symptoms, two due to the lack of surgery strategies and thirdly for its potentially dangerous complications. Case Presentation: The present case elucidates a rare case of spontaneous External Auditory Canal cholesteatoma; (EACC) in 79 years old patient revealed by fetid otorrhea in the right ear, hearing loss, earache and peripheral facial palsy. Radiological imaging showed a massive destruction; of the posterior wall of the external auditory canal, the mastoid cells, tegmen mastoideum and the shell of the third portion of the facial nerve without any morphological or signal abnormalities of the inner ear. A canal wall-down mastoidectomy was performed due to extent of this cholesteatoma, which lead to a full recovery without any follow-up incidents. In light of this finding and to help elaborate the role of clinical examination and radiological imaging, discuss the differential diagnosis and therapeutic surgery management; thus, we report this case. Conclusion: EACC is a rare, potentially dangerous non-neoplastic lesion simulating petrous neoplastic lesion; the diagnosis and the management is multidisciplinary, requiring the coordination of ENT and radiological physician.

Which is Better for Ossiculoplasty Following Tympanomastoidectomy: Polycel® or Titanium?

The purpose of this study was to compare the surgical outcomes of Polycel® and titanium in ossiculoplasty following tympanomastoidectomy (TM). A total of 221 patients underwent ossiculoplasty following TM by a single surgeon using either Polycel® or titanium as prosthesis. Hearing was tested preoperatively and postoperatively at 6 months by pure-tone audiometry. Successful surgery was defined if postoperative air-bone gap (ABG) was <20 dB, the gain in air conduction (AC) hearing was >15 dB HL, or postoperative AC was <30 dB HL. Multiple linear regression was conducted to identify the factors associated with the surgical outcomes. In canal wall up mastoidectomy (CWUM), both Polycel® and titanium showed favorable successful rates if partial ossicular replacement prosthesis (PORP) was used (64.3% of Polycel® and 67.6% in titanium). If total ossicular replacement prosthesis (TORP) was used, both represented similar outcomes (54.5% of Polycel® and 75.0% in titanium). In canal wall down mastoidectomy (CWDM), significant ABG reductions were observed only in the titanium group (5.2 ± 14.7 dB of Polycel® [P = .083] and 7.0 ± 14.2 dB of titanium [P = .002] in PORP; 4.6 ± 13.5 dB of Polycel® [P = .097] and 9.5 ± 11.2 dB of titanium [P < .001] in TORP). In multivariate analysis, titanium had a positive effect on the reduction of postoperative AC thresholds (B: -4.772; 95% CI: -8.706--0.838). Both Polycel® and titanium showed favorable surgical outcomes for ossiculoplasty following CWUM. Titanium prosthesis is recommended for surgery after CWDM.

Quality of life after mastoid surgery. Is there a real benefit to preserving the posterior wall of the external auditory canal? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

ObjectiveCanal wall up (CWU) and canal wall down (CWD) mastoidectomies represent the most common cholesteatoma surgical techniques. In this meta-analysis, we compare the postoperative quality of life (QoL) in patients treated with either CWU or CWD mastoidectomy. MethodsA literature search was conducted in the following three electronic databases: Medline/PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Articles were assessed for eligibility in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement and data were extracted independently by two authors. Biases assessment was conducted for each study according to the Methodological Items for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) tool. Meta-analysis was performed for postoperative QoL following CWU versus CWD mastoidectomy. ResultsOur systematic review included four studies that met the inclusion criteria, three prospective cohort studies, and one retrospective cohort study. The meta-analysis did not favor treatment with one of the two surgical techniques. Postoperative QoL did not show a statistically significant difference between CWU and CWD mastoidectomies (p>0.05). ConclusionOur systematic review and meta-analysis results indicate that QoL is not statistically significantly better among patients who underwent CWU mastoidectomies when compared with CWD. The trend of selecting CWU over CWD mastoidectomies in selected cases - for QoL purposes - is not always based on evidence-based data. The statistically insignificant difference between the two surgical techniques suggests that an initial more radical approach might prevent patients from further surgeries, without affecting postoperative QoL.

Granulation tissue after otologic surgeries: a cross-sectional report on the incidence and management

BackgroundGranulation tissue (GT) formation is a complication of otologic surgeries. We aimed to assess the rate of GT formation following these procedures and their outcome.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was performed from 2015 to 2019. Patients who underwent tympanomastoidectomy (either CWD or ICW) and stapedotomy were included. Demographic and other related data were gathered. Four weeks after surgery, patients were assessed for any sign of granulation tissue formation. If present, they were managed topically and were followed every 2 months until complete resolution.ResultsOf 1045 included cases, 200 underwent Canal Wall Down (CWD) mastoidectomy, 568 underwent Intact Canal Wall (ICW) mastoidectomy, and 277 experienced stapedotomy. Four weeks after surgery, 180 participants were diagnosed with GT (17.22%). The incidence rate of GT formation following tympanomastoidectomy and stapedotomy is 23.44% and 0%, respectively. This measure is 43% and 16.5% for CWD, and ICW approaches. Following treatment for 2 months, we found 164 (91.1%) participants with complete resolution at the second visit. Of the remaining 16 cases, 10 and 6 were cured at the third and fourth visits. Males developed GT significantly more (p < 0.001).ConclusionThose with CWD mastoidectomy are more likely to develop GT than ICW and stapedotomy surgeries. It has a favorable response to conservative topical management.

Numerical analysis of the effects of canal wall‐up and canal wall‐down mastoidectomy on the sound transmission characteristics of human ears

Purpose The aim of this work was to study the effect of canal wall-up (CWU) and canal wall-down (CWD) and mastoid obliteration in conjunction with CWD (CWD-MO) mastoidectomy on the sound transmission characteristics of the human ear. Methods Three mastoidectomy surgical methods, CWU, CWD and CWD-MO, were simulated on the freshly dissected cadaver heads. Then, the finite element (FE) models corresponding to these surgical methods were established by micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) and reverse engineering technology, and the accuracy of the models was verified. Finally, the FE Models were used to analyze the effects of different surgical methods on the sound transmission characteristics of the human ear. Results For CWU, since the integrity of the outer wall of the ear canal is ensured, the sound pressure (SP) gain of the ear canal and the stapes footplate displacement (FPD) gain after this operation are close to normal values. For CWD, due to severe damage to the outer wall of the ear canal, a negative gain of the ear canal SP occurs in the high-frequency range, and the resonance frequency is significantly reduced. For CWD-MO, the frequency range of SP negative gain in the ear canal is reduced due to the addition of fillers in the ear canal to reduce the degree of damage, and the resonance frequency is increased compared to CWD. Conclusions The impact of three types of mastoidectomy, including CWU, CWD, and CWD-MO, on the sound transmission characteristics of the human ear after surgery is relatively small.

Improved Bone Conduction Hearing After Middle Ear Surgery: Investigation of the Improvement Mechanism.

When performing middle ear operations, such as ossiculoplasty or stapes surgery, patients and surgeons expect an improvement in air conduction (AC) hearing, but generally not in bone conduction (BC). However, BC improvement has often been observed after surgery, and the present study investigated this phenomenon. We reviewed the preoperative and postoperative surgical outcomes of 583 patients who underwent middle ear surgery. BC improvement was defined as a BC threshold decrease of >15 dB at two or more frequencies. Subjects in group A underwent staged ossiculoplasty after canal wall up mastoidectomy (CWUM), group B underwent staged ossiculoplasty after canal wall down mastoidectomy (CWDM), group C underwent ossiculoplasty only (thus, they had no prior history of CWUM or CWDM), and group D received stapes surgery. We created a hypothetical circuit model to explain this phenomenon. BC improvement was detected in 12.8% of group A, 9.1% of group B, and 8.5% of group C. The improvement was more pronounced in group D (27.0%). A larger gain in AC hearing was weakly correlated with greater BC improvement (Pearson's r=0.395 in group A, P<0.001; r=0.375 in group B, P<0.001; r=0.296 in group C, P<0.001; r=0.422 in group D, P=0.009). Notably, patients with otosclerosis even experienced postoperative BC improvements as large as 10.0 dB, from a mean value of 30.3 dB (standard error [SE], 3.2) preoperatively to 20.3 dB (SE, 3.2) postoperatively, at 1,000 Hz, as well as an improvement of 9.2 dB at 2,000 Hz, from 37.8 dB (SE, 2.6) to 28.6 dB (SE, 3.1). BC improvement may be explained by a hypothetical circuit model applying the third window theory. Surgeons should keep in mind the possibility of BC improvement when making a management plan.

Mastoid Obliteration Using S53P4 Bioactive Glass in Cholesteatoma Surgery: A 10-Year Single-Center Experience in 173 Adult Patients with Long-Term Magnetic Resonance Imaging Controlled Follow-up.

To present the long-term outcomes of mastoid obliteration in cholesteatoma surgery using S53P4 bioactive glass (BAG) in an adult population. Retrospective cohort study. Single-center study. All 173 adult patients who underwent primary or revision surgery for cholesteatoma with mastoid obliteration using S53P4 BAG with at least 1 year of follow-up including nonecho planar diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (non-EP DWI MRI) and/or second-look surgery to evaluate recidivism. Both canal wall up (CWU) and canal wall down (CWD) procedures were included. Patients underwent CWU or CWD mastoidectomy using S53P4 BAG. Cholesteatoma recidivism, postoperative complications, Merchant grade, hearing outcome. Cholesteatoma recidivism was assessed by MRI in 97% of all cases and second-look surgery look surgery in 3% of cases. After a mean follow-up period of 53 months, cholesteatoma recidivism was seen in 10% of the cases (n = 18). Using the Kaplan-Meier curve to extrapolate, a 5-year recidivism rate of 12% was estimated. Only minor complications occurred, all resolving spontaneously or after minor treatment. Merchant grade of 0 to 1 was achieved 95% of the patients, no persistently wet ears were observed. Closure of the air-bone gap within 20 dB was possible in 32%. In this long-term (up to 10 yr) follow-up study, we demonstrated the safety of S53P4 BAG. Minimal and only minor postoperative complications were observed. The effectiveness of BAG was indicated by the low rate of recidivism, even when using non-EP DWI MRI, a sensitive and specific noninvasive technique to detect cholesteatoma recidivism.

Transmastoid Repair of Otogenic Encephaloceles in Patients With Canal Wall Down Mastoidectomy.

Description of a series of cases in which otogenic encephaloceles in patients requiring canal wall down (CWD) mastoidectomies were repaired via a transmastoid approach. Case series. Tertiary-care hospital. Eleven cases of otogenic encephaloceles in patients requiring CWD mastoidectomy for chronic ear disease. Surgical repair of an otogenic encephalocele using a transmastoid approach. Success of repair, number and size of defects, materials used for repair, complications encountered in surgery, pure tone average air-bone gap (PTA-ABG). Eleven cases were identified. Two of these patients had a prior CWD cavity while the remainder received CWD mastoidectomy simultaneously with encephalocele repair. None of the patients required revision of encephalocele repair. Mean preoperative PTA-ABG was 30 dB and mean postoperative PTA-ABG was 28 dB (p = 0.66). A single-stage strictly transmastoid approach to otogenic encephalocele repair may be effective in patients with prior CWD mastoid cavities or requiring concurrent CWD mastoidectomy for chronic ear disease and/or cholesteatoma.

Microbial flora of mastoid cavity after canal wall down (CWD) mastoidectomy

Introduction: Many scientists have worked on microbial flora of the ear canal or middle ear in nonoperated patients, but it is not clear that what changes would be occurred in the flora of the mastoid cavity postoperatively. It can help the surgeons to choose the appropriate drugs in the perioperative period. The study was designed to investigate the microbial flora of the middle ear and mastoid cavities after canal wall down (CWD) mastoidectomy. Materials and Methods: The survey was designed as a prospective cross-sectional study. All patients with chronic otitis media who had undergone CWD mastoidectomy in a public university hospital from 2014 to 2017 were enrolled in the study. They were periodically followed up postoperatively at least for 6 months. Swab sampling from ear cavity was performed, and the samples were sent for culture and antibiogram. Each specimen was sent for bacterial and fungal analysis. If bacterial culture result was positive, the sensitivity of the cultured organisms to common antibiotics was also assessed. Results: Seventy-four patients entered into the survey. Twenty-six (35%) of samples were positive for bacteria, and 11 (14.5%) were positive for fungi. Furthermore, 3 (4%) of the studied ears were positive simultaneously for both bacterial and fungal culture. Among cultured bacteria, Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most common species (29%). Candida species was the most common fungal species (8%). Conclusions: Microbial infection is a common finding after CWD mastoidectomy. S. epidermidis and Candida species should be considered as the primary targets of treatment.