End to Mastoid Cavity Problems

Aim Aim of cholesteatoma surgery is to obtain a safe, dry, and self-cleaning ear. Several methods have been tried and tested to achieve this goal with varying degrees of success.

Materials and Methods Study of 70 case series over the 4-year time has been made using different methods and materials to obliterate and reconstruct the mastoid cavity and the results compared.

Results Current trends appear to favor a combination of mastoid obliteration and reconstructive techniques with biologic materials, such as muscle flaps and bone chips, preferred over nonbiologic materials, such as hydroxyapatite crystals and ceramic. However, there is a large variation among the type of biologic flap used which can vary between fascia, muscle, and periosteum. After an extensive review, there is no ideal method for mastoid obliteration and reconstruction, as most methods appear to have a certain degree of success.

Conclusion The basic principles of a low facial ridge, large meatoplasty and an oval mastoid cavity should be adhered to, and the surgeon should choose a method that he or she is comfortable with.