Meatoplasty versus meatoconchoplasty: in canal wall down [CWD] mastoidectomy

ABSTRACT

In managing patients by canal wall down mastoidectomy, we must ensure good ventilation of the depths of the mastoid cavity, which can be obtained only by a meatoplasty or a correct meatoconchoplasty. After a follow up period of six months duration for 20 cholesteatomatous patients managed by C.W.D. mastoidectomy with either meatoplasty or meatochoncoplasty. A/V ratio has a significant value in relation to the state of the mastoid cavity [dry or wet]. Neither area of meatal opening [A] nor volume of the mastoid cavity [V] is significant separately. Healing process reduces the area of meatoplasty or meatoconchoplasty by about 20%. No significant difference between healing ratio for meatoplasty and that for meatochoncoplasty. Meatoplasty or meatochoncoplasty opening tends to become more circular during healing. Simple scales and some suggestions for practical measuring of proper diameter for meatoplasty and meatochoncoplasty in order to achieve a dry cavity had been done