Non-cholesteatomatous Chronic Otitis Research Articles

Myringoplasty with and without Cortical Mastoidectomy in Treatment of Non-cholesteatomatous Chronic Otitis Media: A Comparative Study.

OBJECTIVETo compare the outcome and success of repair of uncomplicated tympanic membrane perforations with myringoplasty alone and when combined with mastoidectomy.METHODSA prospective study where 40 patients with non-cholesteatomatous chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) were recruited during the period of June 2013 to December 2013 from the outpatient clinic of Otorhinolaryngology department, Faculty of medicine, Cairo University. Patients were managed medically and after dryness of their perforations they were operated upon. Twenty patients underwent simple myringoplasty alone and 20 patients underwent myringoplasty with cortical mastoidectomy. Underlay technique with temporalis fascia was done for all patients. Follow-up period was at least 3 months.RESULTSHearing improvement was comparable in both groups. There was no significant difference in graft uptake between the myringoplasty alone group (70%) and cortical mastoidectomy group (80%) (P = 0.7). There was no significant difference in ear dryness between the myringoplasty alone group (75%) and cortical mastoidectomy group (90%) (P = 0.4).CONCLUSIONMastoidectomy performed in non-cholesteatomatous CSOM in this study gives no statistically significant benefit over simple myringoplasty as regards graft success rate and dryness of the middle ear with comparable hearing outcome.

Comparative Evaluation between Tympanoplasty Alone & Tympanoplasty Combined With Cortical Mastoidectomy in NonCholesteatomatous Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media in Patients with Sclerotic Bone

Objectives: To compare the results of tympanoplasty alone and tympanoplasty with cortical mastoidectomy in chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) patients with sclerotic bone in terms of graft uptake, perforation closure, improvement in hearing and disease eradication. Study Design: Retrospective study of patients at tertiary referral hospital. Method: 50 cases of non-cholesteatomatous chronic suppurative otitis media were selected. Tympanoplasty alone was done in 25 cases and tympanoplasty combined with cortical mastoidectomy was done in another 25 cases. Patients were reviewed postoperatively at 4, 8 and 12 weeks to inspect the operated ear for graft uptake or any complication. Pure tone audiometry(PTA) was done at 2 nd and 4 th month to evaluate the hearing improvement. Results: In our study, hearing gain in decibel ( dB ) in tympanoplasty group was 7.64 and in tympanoplasty combined with cortical mastoidectomy was 8.84. Graft uptake was 76% in tympanoplasty group and 88% in tympanoplasty combined with cortical mastoidectomy. Recurrence of discharge was seen in 2 cases of tympanoplasty. Though tympanoplasty combined with cortical mastoidectomy is better in hearing improvement, graft uptake and clinical improvement but the difference in 2 groups is statistically insignificant. Conclusion: Hearing improvement, graft uptake and clinical improvement were statistically incomparable in 2 groups. Combining cortical mastoidectomy with tympanoplasty will not give additional benefits in terms of hearing gain, disease clearance and graft uptake.

Relationship between CT findings and sensorineural hearing loss in chronic otitis media

To investigate the relationships between the temporal bone CT findings and sensorineural hearing loss in ears with non-cholesteatomatous chronic otitis media (COM). Preoperative bone conduction (BC) hearing thresholds of 266 patients (304 ears) with COM were compared with those of 342 normal individuals (440 ears) by audiometry. The incidence of abnormal BC threshold at lower frequencies (250-1000 Hz) and at higher frequencies (2000-4000 Hz) were examined and the differences between control and COM groups were compared by using χ2 test. In the COM group, the cross-sectional area of the mastoid air cells based on the axial CT image (n=255) were correlated with the results of BC threshold. The percentage in the COM group exceeds 15% in their 50s at lower frequencies while in their 40s at higher frequencies. The BC thresholds were significantly better in the group with normal mastoid area than in those with smaller mastoid area at each decadal age group. The BC impairment from COM becomes worse as the course of the disease progresses and deteriorated from 40s rapidly, especially at higher frequencies and in the group with smaller mastoid area. These results recommend that early treatment, including surgery, should be considered as early as possible before BC impairment occurs, especially for COM cases with smaller mastoid area, which may indicate the existence of more severe otitis media since earlier childhood.

Hearing gain in different types of tympanoplasties

Aims: The aim of the present study was to find out the hearing improvement in different types of tympanoplasties. Settings and Design: Prospective, hospital-based. Subjects and Methods : A total of 50 patients were included who were 12 years old and above, of both sexes with conductive hearing loss due chronic otitis media with or without perforation. Results: The ratio of males (28) was more as compared with females (22). Maximum number of patients belonged to the age group of 10-20 years (34%), followed by 20-30 years (30%), whereas least number of cases was found in the age group of > 50 years. Hearing loss and otorrhea were present in majority of the cases (100% and 72%, respectively). A total of 18 of the cases had cholesteatomatous chronic suppurative otitis media, while 32 ears were observed to be noncholesteatomatous chronic suppurative otitis media. The average preoperative air conduction (AC) in the present study was found to be 46.6 dB ranging from 20 dB to 112.5 dB, while the average postoperative AC was found to be 39 dB with an average gain of 7.6 dB. The four frequency average preoperative and postoperative air-bone gap (ABG) were found to be 26.48 dB and 20.17 dB respectively, with the average gain of 6.3 dB. The average ABG closure within 0-30 dB was seen in 33 (82%) of the cases. Social hearing was achieved in 86% of the cases in type I, 46% in type II, and 40% in type III tympanoplasty. Conclusions: Tympanoplasty as a procedure when indicated without compromising for the disease, can be effectively used to improve hearing in chronic suppurative otitis media, and other types of conductive hearing losses.

Oxidative stress in chronic otitis media

Chronic otitis media usually presents with a benign tumor-like lesion of the temporal bone known as a cholesteatoma. The role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of chronic otitis media and cholesteatoma has not yet been fully explored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the oxidative stress markers and antioxidant enzymes in patients with cholesteatomatous and noncholesteatomatous chronic otitis media and in healthy subjects. A prospective controlled trial was performed on cholesteatomatous and noncholesteatomatous chronic otitis media patients in a tertiary referral center in a university hospital. A total of 75 subjects, including 25 cholesteatomatous and 25 noncholesteatomatous chronic otitis media patients and 25 healthy subjects participated in this study. Serum total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) levels were significantly increased in the patient groups with or without cholesteatoma compared with the control group. Serum total antioxidant status (TAS) levels and Paraoxonase and arylesterase activity were significantly lower in the patient groups with or without cholesteatoma compared with the control group. Serum TOS and OSI levels were lower in the noncholesteatomatous group, whereas serum TAS levels were higher compared with the cholesteatomatous group. Serum arylesterase activity was significantly lower in the noncholesteatomatous group compared with the control group. The results of this study reveal that in cholesteatoma cases, the oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme imbalance were more significant than in cases of chronic otitis media without cholesteatoma.

Eustachian Tube Function and Mastoid Pneumatization as Prognostic Factors of Type 1 Tympanoplasty

Received September 29, 2011 Revised April 5, 2012 Accepted April 5, 2012 Address for correspondence Hyung-Jong Kim, MD, PhD Department of OtorhinolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, 896 Pyeongchon-dong, Dongan-gu, Anyang 431-070, Korea Tel +82-31-380-3840 Fax +82-31-386-3860 E-mail hjk1000@hallym.ac.kr Background and ObjectivesZZPre-operative eustachian tube function (ETF) and mastoid aeration are important in maintaining a post-operative aerated middle ear. In this study, we evaluated the prognostic value of pre-operative ETF and of mastoid aeration predicting postoperative outcomes after chronic otitis media surgery. Subjects and MethodZZOne hundred eighty patients of non-cholesteatomatous chronic otitis media who underwent type 1 tympanoplasty were categorized into two groups (well-patent ETF versus obstructed ETF) according to the results of Valsalva maneuver test, and also categorized into four groups according to the results of a modified pressure inflation-deflation equilibration test. The extent of mastoid aeration was measured using high resolution computerized tomography scan of the temporal bone and image analysis software (Rapidia). The post-operative outcomes at 3 months of surgery were compared with those of the tympanoplasty only group and the mastoidectomy with tympanoplasty (MT) group as well as with the different pre-operative ETF groups. ResultsZZSuccessful post-operative outcome was 87.9% in the well-patent ETF group and 82.8% in the obstructed ETF group according to the Valsalva maneuver test (p=0.418). Successful outcome was 90.6% in the good ETF group and 74.5% in the poor ETF group according to the modified pressure equilibration inflation-deflation test, which was significantly different (p=0.047). Patients with successful outcome had greater extent of mastoid aeration than those with poor surgical outcome (p=0.026). Distributions of surgical outcome were not statistically different between the tympanoplasty only group and the MT group (p>0.05). ConclusionZZThe ETF measured by modified pressure inflation-deflation equilibration test and the extent of mastoid aeration measured using the Rapidia program were valuable information that can be used to predict post-operative outcomes after chronic otitis media surgery. Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg 2012;55:284-9

Does concomitant mastoidectomy improve outcomes for patients undergoing repair of tympanic membrane perforations?

BACKGROUND Although tympanoplasty with or without mastoidectomy is a common procedure, failures of perforation closure are not a rare occurrence. 1 Optimization of the tympanoplasty procedure would lead to improved patient outcomes and increased patient satisfaction. Controversy currently exists amongst otologists regarding the appropriate treatment of tympanic membrane perforations resulting from chronic suppurative otitis media without cholesteatoma. Proponents for mastoidectomy with tympanoplasty for this patient population contend that surgical opening of the mastoid pneumatic system buffers pressure changes in the middle ear according to Boyle’s Law and allows for the debridement of infected tissue and devitalized bone that may not be otherwise effectively treated. Anecdotal and empirical data supporting this theory are prevalent within the literature. However, several recent studies investigating tympanoplasty with or without mastoidectomy refute the claim that mastoidectomy improves otologic outcomes following perforation repair. 2,3 We review the current body of literature in an effort to elucidate the best practice. LITERATURE REVIEW Several studies have retrospectively reviewed outcomes of tympanoplasty with or without mastoidectomy for the treatment of noncholesteatomatous chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) (Table I and Table II. Balyan et al. 2 reviewed 323 patients with CSOM. The patients were separated into three groups: group I (n ¼ 53) consisted of patients with draining CSOM treated with tympanoplasty alone, group II (n ¼ 28) consisted of patients with draining CSOM treated with tympanoplasty with mastoidectomy, and group III (n ¼ 242)

Expression of Keratinocyte Growth Factor and Its Receptor in Noncholesteatomatous and Cholesteatomatous Chronic Otitis Media

The purpose of the study was to test a hypothesis that the keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) is a key factor in the pathologic difference between cholesteatomatous (C-COM) and noncholesteatomatous chronic otitis media (NC-COM). We compared the expression levels of KGF and its receptor (KGFR) and the proliferation activity of epithelial cells between NC-COM and C-COM. The epithelial lesion was surgically excised with subepithelial tissue from 18 patients with NC-COM and 70 patients with C-COM, and was processed for immunohistochemistry for KGF and KGFR. We also examined the proportion of proliferating epithelial cells using Ki-67 and the extent of infiltrating B and T cells. Keratinocyte growth factor was positive in 5 of 18 (28%) NC-COM specimens and in 61 of 69 (88%) C-COM specimens (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, 37 (60%) C-COM specimens were positive for KGFR, but none of NC-COM were positive (0%; p < 0.01). The Ki-67 labeling index (LI) was significantly smaller in NC-COM than in C-COM (p < 0.001). B-Cell LI was almost similar in the 2 groups. T-Cell LI was significantly higher in C-COM than in NC-COM (p < 0.0001). Interestingly, T-cell LI in NC-COM was higher in KGF-positive tissues than in KGF-negative tissues (p < 0.05). The results indicated that coexpression of KGF and KGFR seems to explain the pathologic difference between C-COM and NC-COM, and that KGF may play an important role in the development of cholesteatoma.

Modification of Surgical Procedures of Type 1 Tympanoplasty for Non-Cholesteatomatous Chronic Otitis Media

Objective: To introduce our modified procedures of type 1 tympanoplasty and to assess their efficacy. Methods: We modified the surgical procedures of type 1 tympanoplasty and have used these procedures since September 1999. The modified points are enlargement of the facial recess approach, no elevation of the posterior meatal skin and the tympanic annulus, and endoaural repair of tympanic membrane perforation. 51 patients with simple chronic otitis media have undergone this modified type 1 tympanoplasty. Postoperative hearing was evaluated according to the criteria proposed by the Otological Society of Japan. Results: The average follow-up period was 15 months (range 6–35). The hearing result was considered successful when the postoperative hearing level satisfied with at least one of three conditions as follows: (1) air-bone gap <15 dB, (2) hearing gain >15 dB, or (3) hearing level >30 dB. The success rate was 94.1%. The average postoperative air-bone gap, hearing gain and hearing level were 3.9, 10.0 and 29.3 dB, respectively. Conclusion: Our modified tympanoplasty is useful to achieve better postoperative hearing results.

Hearing outcomes following myringoplasty for patients from developing countries with chronic otitis media

Objective: The purpose of this study is to compare hearing outcomes following myringoplasty for chronic otitis media for patients from developing counties with those of urban Australian patients. Subjects & Methods: This study is a retrospective review of 110 patients (118 ears) with non-cholesteatomatous chronic suppurative otitis media who underwent myringoplasty at The Royal Victorian Eye & Ear Hospital from 2003 to 2007. Patients who had emigrated from a developing country were analysed as one group and Australian born patients were analysed as another. Patients were excluded from the study if their hearing was normal or only mildly impaired in the affected ear pre-operatively. Outcomes are expressed in terms of tympanic membrane closure, improvement in air conduction (AC) pure tone average (PTA) and achievement of AC PTA ≤ 40 dB HL post-operatively. Results: Patients from developing countries demonstrated greater improvements in hearing following myringoplasty, mean gain in AC PTA 16.6 dB, than urban Australian patients, 9.6 dB. This difference was statistically significant (unpaired t-test; t = 2.66, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Patients from developing countries with hearing impairment secondary to chronic otitis media can achieve hearing outcomes following myringoplasty at least comparable to urban Australian patients. This paper was presented at the 2009 Australian Society of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Annual Scientific Meeting, Gold Coast, QLD.

Pre-operative Evaluation of Eustachian Tube Function Using a Modified Pressure Equilibration Test is Predictive of Good Postoperative Hearing and Middle Ear Aeration in Type 1 Tympanoplasty Patients

ObjectivesThe Eustachian tube (ET) plays an important role in maintaining a normally aerated middle ear. Inflammation in middle ear disease is related to ET dysfunction, and postoperative restoration of middle ear integrity and hearing are closely related to ET function in chronic ear disease patients. After successful tympanoplasty, restoration of a well-aerated middle ear with good ET function can permit better compliance of the tympanic membrane. In this study, we evaluated the predictive validity of preoperative ET function measurements.MethodsWe reviewed 137 patients who underwent type 1 tympanoplasty. All patients had non-cholesteatomatous chronic otitis media and received canal wall-up-type tympanomastoidectomies. Patients were categorized into four groups according to preoperative ET function measurements using a modified pressure inflation-deflation equilibration test. Group I patients had residual pressures less than 10 daPa, and Group IV patients showed no pressure change (poor results). Groups II and III were intermediate. Hearing levels were determined using pure tone averages at four frequencies. Postoperative tympanography was performed to determine middle ear aeration.ResultsThe preoperative air bone (AB) gap was 29.6±7.0 dB, and the postoperative gap was 16.5±5.7 dB; thus, there was significant overall improvement. In all groups, hearing was significantly better after surgery, but the worst postoperative hearing level was seen in Group IV patients. Type B tympanograms were more frequently recorded in Group IV patients than they were in Group I or II patients. Postoperative AB gaps were 9.2±3.8 dB in patients with type A tympanograms, 13.4±2.1 dB in those with type As, 24.1±2.5 dB in those with type C, and 18.5±2.8 dB in those with type B.ConclusionET function measured with a modified pressure equilibration test using an inflation-deflation manometric method is a good indicator of an aerated middle ear and is predictive of improved postoperative hearing.

Bilateral promontory fistula due to noncholesteatomatous chronic otitis media

The authors describe a case of bilateral promontory fistula due to noncholesteatomatous chronic otitis media in a 46-year-old male. We performed both open cavity mastoidectomy and left staged ossiculoplasty. One year postoperatively, the audiogram showed an improved left air conduction threshold and maintenance of bone conduction. We suggest that noncholesteatomatous chronic otitis media can induce various destructive changes via the chronic inflammatory reaction.

Infective Causes of Facial Nerve Paralysis

To review the functional recovery in a cohort of patients with facial nerve paralysis (FNP) due to infective cause. Retrospective review based on patients identified from a prospectively maintained database of patients with FNP. The case notes of identified patients were reviewed. Tertiary referral center. The patients were identified from a database of 1074 patients with FNP. One hundred twenty of the 150 patients identified as having FNP due to an infectious disease caused by herpes zoster oticus were excluded from the study. The remaining 30 patients were included in the study. Patients were treated both operatively and nonoperatively. Operative treatment included myringotomy and ventilation tube placement, cortical mastoidectomy, modified radical (canal wall down) mastoidectomy, petrous apicectomy, and lateral temporal bone resection. This study used the House-Brackmann (HB) grade of facial function at 1 year after initial assessment. The patients were identified from a prospectively maintained database of all patients presenting with FNP to a single specialist otolaryngologist (G.R.C.) between June 1988 and April 2005. The database contains information including demographic details, dates of presentation, diagnostic modalities used, diagnosis, interventions, and HB grade. The patients in this series presented between August 4, 1989 and August 26, 2003. Twenty-nine patients with 30 facial nerve paralyses were identified. The causes of FNP were acute otitis media (n = 10); cholesteatoma (n = 10 [acquired, 7; congenital, 3]); mastoid cavity infections (n = 2); malignant otitis externa (n = 2); noncholesteatomatous chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM; n = 2); tuberculous mastoiditis (n = 1); suppurative parotitis (n = 1); and chronic granulomatosis (n = 1). The patients with noncholesteatomatous CSOM who presented sooner after the onset of facial nerve symptoms had greater facial nerve recovery when assessed using the HB grade at 1 year. FNP due to infective causes other than herpes zoster oticus is rare. Patients with noncholesteatomatous CSOM and FNP have a better outcome than those with FNP due to cholesteatoma. Patients with FNP due to acute otitis media tend to have a good prognosis without surgical decompression of the facial nerve being required.

Correlation between middle-ear pressure-regulation functions and outcome of type-I tympanoplasty

Objectives To examine the correlation between the middle-ear pressure-regulation functions including active eustachian tube (ET) functions and transmucosal gas exchange function, and outcome of tympanoplasty. Patients and methods Seventy five patients (78 ears) with non-cholesteatomatous chronic otitis media with eardrum perforation but without ossicular damage or middle-ear anomaly participated in this study. Before surgery, patency of the ET was examined by applying positive pressure to the middle ear through the eardrum perforation, and then the ET pressure-regulation functions were examined using the inflation–deflation test. Also their transmucosal gas exchange function was evaluated by examining the presence or absence of aeration in the mastoid on the CT before surgery or through the microscope during the surgery. All of them underwent type-I tympanoplasty, and their postoperative conditions including the hearing were followed for more than 6 months. The outcome of the surgery was judged as poor outcome when they had any of the following conditions; more than 20 dB of mean air-bone gap, spontaneous perforation within 6 months, or persistent wet condition including recurrent otorrhea. Results First, the outcome of all the four ears of which ETs were considered mechanically obstructed was poor. Next, among the remaining 74 ears, none of the three individual parameters, including positive and negative middle-ear pressure-equalizing functions and mastoid aeration, showed significantly positive correlation with the outcome of the surgery, but significantly higher incidence of poor outcome was seen only when all the three parameters were poor. Conclusions These results indicated that impairment of all the middle-ear pressure-regulation functions was likely to cause poor outcome of tympanoplasty, and also allowed us reconfirm that ears with mechanically obstructed ETs were contraindicated for tympanoplasty. Therefore, assessment of mastoid condition is important as well as the ET function before tympanoplasty.

Repair of tympanic membrane perforation using a modified cartilage–perichondrium composite ring graft

Ring graft is a modified cartilage-perichondrium composite graft (CPCG) with only a peripheral ring shaped cartilage. In this series, tympanic membrane perforations were repaired using (ring graft) during treatment of 18 cases of non-cholesteatomatous chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM). This study showed that ring graft has the advantages of both CPCG and perichondrial graft but without their disadvantages. Complete closure of the perforations was achieved in all cases without delay in hearing improvement. It is recommended to use the ring graft whenever needed to repair central tympanic membrane perforations even with difficult anterior or total perforations.

Long-term follow-up evaluation of mastoidectomy in children with non-cholesteatomatous chronic suppurative otitis media

In spite of declining prevalence chronic suppurative otitis media without cholesteatoma (CSOM) still poses a significant health problem. Randomized clinical trials comparing medical and surgical intervention are not available. Hence, the treatment of CSOM is almost exclusively based on empirical experience. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the long-term effects of mastoidectomy combined with myringotomy and exploration of the middle ear in children with CSOM. 47 children with CSOM underwent surgery including mastoidectomy. Ear status was investigated peri-operatively and at a long-term follow-up (5-21 years post-operatively). Final success rate, FS (dry ears for several years) and the optimal final success rate, OFS (dry ears for several years without re-operations and without retractions/perforations) were estimated. No serious surgical complications occurred. Post-operatively re-mastoidectomy was performed in 13% and re-myringoplasty/tympanoplasty in 21%. At the long-term follow-up the FS rate was 94% and the OFS rate was 61%. Surgery alone did not entirely cure CSOM which may justify randomized studies comparing conservative treatment and myringoplasty with/without mastoidectomy. Finally, mastoidectomy in these patients must be considered as a last resort when intense conservative treatment fails.

Fistula of the Cochlear Labyrinth in Noncholesteatomatous Chronic Otitis Media

To discuss the clinical aspects and management of promontory fistula of the cochlear labyrinth. Case report and review of the literature. University hospital, tertiary referral center. The authors describe an unusual case of cochlear fistula localized to the promontory discovered during tympanoplasty for noncholesteatomatous chronic otitis media in a 59-year-old woman. Bone conduction was slightly impaired after operation and hearing improved after a revision myringoplasty performed for reperforation. Erosion of the bone of the labyrinth can also be observed in noncholesteatomatous otitis media. The presence of a fistula is not always associated with profound hearing loss. Overlying pathologic tissue can be removed without damaging the membranous labyrinth.

Success of cartilage grafting in revision tympanoplasty without mastoidectomy.

Candidates for revision tympanoplasty have experienced at least one failed attempt at repair of the tympanic membrane and are, therefore, at higher risk for subsequent repair failure. The adjunctive use of mastoidectomy with tympanoplasty in those patients with noncholesteatomatous chronic otitis media is often used to decrease the risk for subsequent failure. However, at this institution, where we use cartilage tympanoplasty, mastoidectomy is rarely performed in the absence of cholesteatoma. Our objective was to assess outcomes in patients undergoing revision tympanoplasty without mastoidectomy using cartilage grafting. We conducted a retrospective case review. Tertiary referral center. A total of 95 patients (42 female, 53 male; 5-81 yr of age) with a recurrent perforation who were treated surgically with cartilage tympanoplasty without mastoidectomy were included in the chart review. Patients must have undergone at least one previous tympanoplasty without mastoidectomy and had to have complete audiologic and chart follow up. An underlay tympanoplasty technique using either a tragal cartilage-perichondrium island graft or palisaded concha cymba cartilage was used. Ossiculoplasty was performed as needed. Main outcome measures were incidence of reperforation of the grafted tympanic membrane, hearing result, and prevalence of other complications. Successful closure without reperforation was obtained in 90 of 95 patients (94.7%). Average postoperative pure-tone average air-bone gap was 12.2 +/-7.3 dB compared with 24.6+/-13.8 dB preoperatively (p <0.001). Revision tympanoplasty with cartilage provided equivalent results to tympanoplasty with mastoidectomy. Thus, mastoidectomy may not be necessary in revision tympanoplasty in the absence of cholesteatoma if the repair is made with cartilage.

Canal-down mastoidectomy: experience in 81 cases.

To identify the common presentation(s) and the clinical and operative finding(s) in patients with cholesteatomatous and long-term noncholesteatomatous chronic suppurative otitis media and to adapt a surgical management best suited to ensure long-term safety in these Papua New Guinean patients for whom postoperative follow-up is minimal. Retrospective case series. Port Moresby General Hospital, the tertiary referral center for otolaryngologic services. Eighty-one patients in all age groups who received a clinical diagnosis of chronic suppurative otitis media, with or without cholesteatoma, with or without its associated complications. Canal-down (modified radical) mastoidectomy with wide meatoplasty. Adults were more commonly affected than adolescent or pediatric cases, and there was a male preponderance. The median age was 24 years (range, 13 months to 73 years). Otorrhea remained the most common presentation in all age groups. Postauricular abscesses and fistulae were seen frequently. Cholesteatoma and granulation with polypoidal mucosa were frequent operative findings; a high incidence involved both the attic space and the antrum. Five (6%) patients had preoperative facial paralysis; in addition, postoperative facial paralysis developed in three (4%) patients. The incidence of postoperative "wet ear" was high in all age groups. Meningitis was the most common intracranial complication, followed by lateral sinus thrombosis. There were seven (9%) deaths altogether, and all the deaths occurred as a direct result of otogenic intracranial complication. Lack of health consciousness, poor socioeconomic status, and lack of health care delivery system resulted in late presentations and poor postoperative follow-up. Hence, the canal-wall-down technique with wide meatoplasty is recommended to ensure a best possible one-time treatment in Papua New Guinean patients with cholesteatomatous or long-term "dangerous" chronic suppurative otitis media with or without complications.

Results of tympanoplasty in children after 15 to 27 years.

Results of tympanoplasty in children with noncholesteatomatous chronic otitis media are presented in a 16- to 27-year follow-up. During the 13-year period from 1968 to 1980, 116 children (124 ears) were operated on, and they were submitted to several follow-ups with audiometry and otomicroscopy. The attendance at the last follow-up was 70%, and the minimum time since surgery for these patients was 15 years. All dry ears were operated on transcanally with a fixed ear speculum, without any lateral incision of the ear canal skin. Cumulatively, in total, 14 ears (11%) had reperforation: 7 ears early and 7 ears late. At 6 months, there were 6% early reperforations; some were surgically closed and some reappeared later, even after several years, as late perforations. At 2 to 15 years of follow-up, there were 4% reperforations, and at 16 to 27 years, 6%. Hearing was good and stable. The results were the same in ears operated on at the ages of 2.5 to 7 years and 8 to 14 years, as well as with preoperatively positive and negative Valsalva maneuvers. In total, 14% of ears were revised during the entire observation period. It is concluded that transcanal tympanoplasty, even in young children, has good long-term stability and can definitively and permanently solve the problem of noncholesteatomatous chronic otitis in children.