RESUMO
Objective@#To discuss the safety and efficacy of simultaneous procedures of vibrant soundbridge implantation and auricular reconstruction with congenital external and middle ear malformation.@*Methods@#This is a retrospective study, including 6 patients, 5 boys and 1 girl, aged 7-12 years. All patients received simultaneous operations of vibrant soundbridge implantation and auricular reconstruction. The mean preoperative air conduction threshold was 64.8 dB HL at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz. The VSB was placed in the third stage of auricle reconstruction, if the soft tissue expansion was performed; otherwise, the VSB was implanted in the second stage. The satisfaction with reconstructed auricle, surgical complications, hearing improvement and speech discrimination scores were evaluated 6 months after surgery.@*Results@#All patients and their families reported satisfaction with their reconstructed auricle. There was no complications, including cartilage framework exposion, infection, hematoma, skin flap necrosis, facial paralysis, tinnitus, vertigo or others. Post-operatively, mean VSB-aided hearing threshold was 36.7 dB HL, which was reduced by 28.1 dB HL. The mean speech discrimination scores measured in a sound field with a presentation level of 65 dB SPL and 80 dB SPL were improved.@*Conclusions@#The simultaneous operations of auricle reconstruction and Vibrant Soundbridge implantation is an alternative method for patients with congenital microtia and atresia.
RESUMO
Objective@#To summarize the experience of the diagnosis, treatment and effects of the cases with coexistence of first branchial cleft anomaly(FBCA) and microtia with congenital aural atresia or stenosis(external auditory canal stenosis, EACS).@*Method@#This was a retrospective study. The clinical data of 5 patients with microtia and EACS in Beijing Tongren Hospital of Capital Medical University from October 2015 to March 2018 were collected, including 3 males and 2 females, aged from 5 to 28 years. The clinical characteristics, imaging findings, treatment methods and effects of 5 patients were analyzed.@*Result@#The 5 cases were all coexistence of EACS and FBCA, three of who associated with cholesteatoma of external auditory canal. CT showed external auditory canal stenosis with soft tissue shadow, sometimes gas or bone septum found inside, filling in the external auditory canal, combined with canal bone destruction irregularly. All patients underwent surgical resection of FBCA, 3 patients accompanied by cholesteatoma resection and canalplasty. The postoperative follow-up ranged from 10 to 39 months, and no recurrence of infection was observed.@*Conclusions@#EACS and FBCA both result from maldevelopment of the first branchial cleft. These two malformations, FBCA and EACS with or without cholesteatoma, can occur simultaneously, in which situation CT shows external auditory canal stenosis with soft tissue shadow inside. These patients underwent surgical resection of FBCA combined with cholesteatoma resection with good result.