Reconstruction of the Posterior Canal Wall with Mastoid Obliteration after Canal Wall Down Mastoidectomy / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There have been heated controversies over the choice of the canal wall down mastoidectomy (CWD) and canal wall up mastoidectomy (CWU), which are operational methods used to eliminate the lesion of cholesteatoma. Combining the advantages of both methods, we reconstructed the posterior canal wall with conchal cartilage plate and obliterated mastoid cavity with bone chips (group I), or hydroxyapatite mixed with bone chips (group II) since 2001. This study was designed to evaluate the surgical outcomes of posterior canal wall reconstruction with mastoid obliteration in the treatment of cholesteatoma. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: From January of 2001 to March of 2007, the posterior canal wall reconstruction with mastoid obliteration was conducted on 66 patients. There were 30 cases of cholesteatoma and 36 cases of old radical cavity. The postoperative observation period ranged from 5 to 74 months, with the average period of 34.7 months. We analyzed the postoperative complications, and hearing results of the 33 ossicular reconstruction cases. RESULTS: There was 1 case of residual cholesteatoma in the middle ear cavity, but no recurrent cholesteatoma. In most cases, reconstructed canal wall was maintained well, but partial canal wall resorption and postauricular dimpling occurred in 5 cases of group I. On the other hand, the epithelization of posterior canal wall was incomplete in 4 cases of group II. After surgery, no patients complained any cavity problems at all. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that this procedure can prevent cavity problems and reduce the recurrence of cholesteatoma with destructed canal wall.

A Case of Repair Using Hydroxyapatite Cement for Recurrent Perilymphatic Fistulas Occurred at Round Window After Cholesteatoma Surgery / 대한이비인후과학회지

Perilymphatic fistula (PLF) is a rare condition characterized by abnormal leakage of perilymph from the inner ear into the middle ear via a defect in the oval or round windows. PLF needs special attention concerning early diagnosis and treatment, because it can cause dizziness, hearing loss, tinnitus, meningitis, and other symptoms. The diagnosis of PLF usually cannot be confirmed before exploratory tympanotomy. Fascia, perichondrium, loose areolar tissue, fat and gelfoam can be used effectively in the PLF repair. Fibrin glue was used to aid in securing the graft material. However, recurrence is not rare and revision is sometimes needed to relieve the symptoms associated with the leakage of perilymph. So otologic surgeons should keep in mind that PLF has a great tendency to recur. Careful surgical procedures together with strict postoperative management are important to prevent recurrence and hydroxyapatite cement (HAC) can be used to cover the fistula area as a alternative graft material in recurrent perilymphatic fistula. We report on one recurrent case of postoperative PLF occurring at the round window that was repaired with HAC.