Background and Objectives : There have been heated controversies over the choice of the canal wall down mastoidectomy (CWD) and canal wall up mastoidectomy (CWU), which are operational methods used to eliminate the lesion of chronic otitis media
including cholesteatoma. The CWD method can secure a good operation field and remove the lesion easily, but it accompanies a cavity problem. The CWU method also has its shortcomings as it is difficult to eliminate cholesteatoma completely using
this
method. Combining the advantages of both methods, we invented a new operational method. The present study assesses the results of its use after a follow up of 55 months.
Materials and Methods : From December of 1994 to March of 1997,
epitympanoplasty with mastoid obliteration was conducted on 44 adults
(42 patients). Of these, 38 cases were cholesteatomas, 2 cases
adhesive otitis media and 4 cases chronic otitis media with poor
E-tube function. The postoperative observation period ranged from 41
to 68 months, with the average period of 55.2 months. Results: There
were 3 cases of residual cholesteatoma in the mastoid cavity and 3
cases in the middle ear cavity. All residual cholesteatomas in the
mastoid cavity were treated with CWU, and there was no recurrent
cholesteatoma or otorrhea, nor retraction pocket. Conclusion :
Although the observation period of the postoperative process was not
long enough, there was no recurrence. We suggest that it is
advantageous to operate on cholesteatoma using the new method.
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