RESUMEN
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Transcanal antrotomy approach (TCA) enables not only good exposure but also minimal incision approach required for pediatric congenital cholesteatoma (CC). The addition of "CO2 laser enabled ablation and resection (CLEAR)" would facilitate safe and complete removal of CC from stapes. This study evaluates the clinical results of surgically removing CC through TCA with CLEAR (minimal incision approach with CO2 laser, MICL). SUBJECTS AND METHOD: The medical records of patients who underwent endaural extended tympanostomy, MICL, or postauricular approach for CC removal from January 2009 to September 2011 were reviewed in this study. RESULTS: MICL was performed in 37 patients of Potsic I, II CC. It was effective in surgical exposure and reducing the chance of residual CC. MICL could satisfactorily avoid postauricular tympanomastoidectomy, which allowed preservation of healthy mastoid air cells for almost all Potsic III CC, including posterior CC (14 patients). MICL was also useful for 6 cases of Potsic IV CC that extended beyond the incus posterosuperiorly to the auditus ad antrum. Children were not committed to second look operation because the attic was exteriorized with-out the cavity problem and the complete removal of CC from the stapes was facilitated with CLEAR. CONCLUSION: MICL enabled sufficient exposure with less invasive approach as well as complete CC removal, which reduced the postoperative complications and needs for second look operation. This surgical technique could be widely used for Potsic stage I, II, III, and some IV CC.