A Comparative Study of Outcome of Post-Operative Mastoid Cavity Obliteration with Autologous Cartilage with That of Unobliterated Cavities.

ABSTRACT

Mastoid operations have been in practice for over four centuries for suppurative conditions of the ear. Intact canal wall mastoidectomy has the advantage of rapid wound healing and also avoids frequent cleaning of the cavity. With canal wall down mastoidectomy there is excellent exposure for disease eradication and post-operative monitoring but is associated with significant cavity problems. In order to overcome the problems associated with canal wall down procedure while retaining its advantages, the concept of mastoid cavity obliteration was introduced. We wanted to study the outcomes of mastoid cavity obliteration and compare the outcomes of mastoid cavity obliteration with autologous cartilage as obliterating material for mastoid obliteration. METHODSA prospective, experimental, randomized study has been conducted over a period of 18 months among patients presenting with active squamosal variety of Chronic Otitis Media wherein 15 cases were allotted to each group which subsequently underwent canal wall down mastoidectomy followed by obliteration with autologous cartilage. RESULTSThe mean age of the individuals in group A is 25.47 years with a standard deviation of 8.89 years; in group B (obliteration with cartilage) it is 26.33 years with a standard deviation of 11.73 years. In group A, the mean duration required for complete epithelialization is 10.8 weeks while in group B, the average time taken for complete epithelialization is 5.07 weeks. All cases had their graft intact at the end of 12 weeks. Debris was present in group A for a mean duration of 9.47 weeks whereas in group B it is seen for a mean duration of 2.8 weeks. Patients from group A complained of discharge from their ears for a mean duration of 7.47 weeks. In group B the same symptom persisted over 2.8 weeks.