Patogeneza i przegląd najnowszych metod leczenia wrodzonej atrezji przewodu słuchowego zewnętrznego u dzieci

Congenital atresia of the auditory canal is a congenital abnormality that often coexists with microtia and occurs at a frequency of 1:10 000 to 1:20 000 births. This defect contributes to conductive hearing loss in children causing delays in speech development, impaired social relationships and reduced learning outcomes. Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) test is helpful in the diagnosis of atresia, as it allows for early detection of the hearing defect and planning the therapeutic procedure. In the treatment of atresia of the external auditory canal the conventional arthroplasty of the canal is abandoned due to the high percentage of postoperative restenosis in atresiaplasty in favor of innovative methods without the need to maintain the stenosis of the canal. Alternative methods of treating congenital atresia of the external auditory canal include bone conduction hearing implants – osseointegrated and based on bone conduction of the middle ear including bone anchored and percutaneous implants. These devices consist of an implanted inner part and an outer part (on the scalp). The mechanism of action is based on the perception of sounds from the environment by the external part of the device which are then transformed into vibrations transmitted through the bones of the skull to the inner ear without the need for the outer and middle ear. The development of newer and newer surgical techniques allowed to reduce complications after implantation procedures. Here we present the pathogenesis, the latest methods of treatment of congenital atresia of the external auditory canal and their advantages and disadvantages.