Posterior Ear Canal Reconstruction by Autologous Cartilage and Flaps in One Stage

Abstract

Background: Reconstruction of the posterior canal wall should be planned by the surgeon in canal wall down mastoidectomy to prevent the resulting cavity that is prone to recurrent infection. The surgeon should choose the type of grafts either autologous, homologous or allografts. Furthermore, the surgeon should decide whether to do immediate reconstruction or delayed one. Methods: In this study, the ridge was reconstructed at the same time of mastoidectomy by autologous tissues. We used conchal cartilage graft vascularized by pedicled perichondrial and periosteal flaps. The study included 48 patients (32 males and 16 females) with age ranged from 18-55 years. All patients were with unilateral chronic suppurative otitis media with persistent discharge. They had been operated at our tertiary hospital between Jan. 2012 to march 2014 Results: Successful reconstruction was obtained in all cases with no dehiscence, necrosis or canal stenosis Conclusion: The use of composite conchal cartilage with perichondrial and periosteal flaps in repair of the ridge is highly efficient. The presenting study recommends doing this repair at the same operative time concomitantly with canal wall down mastoidectomy Keywords: Mastoidectomy, Cholesteatoma, Cartilage graft, Perichondrium, Periosteum, flaps.