Canal Wall Up versus Canal Wall down Mastoidectomy: Considerations for the New-Age Otologists

Causes of Failure of Canal Wall down Mastoidectomy

AIMS

To identify the causes of failure of the canal wall down mastoidectomy and evaluate the causes for discharging mastoid cavity and to address the causes of failure of previous surgery to minimize the Revision surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a prospective and retrospective observational study conducted at a tertiary care hospital from May 2019 to December 2021. Total 20 Patients (11 male & 9 female) with age group (0-60 years) who previously underwent canal wall down mastoidectomy and presented with complaints of persistent ear discharge were included. All patients underwent otoscopic, oto-endoscopic and microscopic examination.

RESULTS

Out of 20 cases,13 cases had residual/recurrent cholesteatoma, 11 cases had narrow meatoplasty and 9 cases had high facial ridge.Other causes for failure are graft defect, incomplete removal of anterior and posterior buttress.

CONCLUSION

Recurrent/residual cholesteatoma and Narrow meatoplasty are most common cause for failure of previous surgery. Persistent granulation at un-exenterated area was the most common cause for suppuration. Regular follow up and cleaning of the debris from cavity enhances the epithelialization and healing of the cavity.

Ears with Cholesteatoma: Outcomes of Canal Wall Up and Down Tympano-Mastoidectomies—A Comparative Prospective Study

This prospective study has been carried out to observe the outcomes of canal wall up (CWU) and canal wall down (CWD) Tympano-mastoidectomies in ears with cholesteatoma. Outcomes of the procedures have been done in terms of recurrence of cholesteatoma, complications, graft uptake rates and post-operative hearing gain. This study was carried out in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of a reputed tertiary teaching hospital of North India from January 2016 to June 2020, with a mean follow-up of 32 months. The study included 100 patients of otitis media with cholesteatoma. In Canal Wall Up Tympano-mastoidectomy (CWUT) group, the number of males and females were 22 each. On the other hand, 36 males and 20 females underwent Canal Wall Down Tympano-mastoidectomy (CWDT). Each surgery was done as a single-staged and at the end of the surgical procedure angled oto-endoscopes were used for ensuring complete removal of the disease. Though there is no statistically significant difference in recurrence of cholesteatoma and complications rate in CWU and CWD Tympano-mastoidectomy techniques, but CWUT is superior to CWDT in terms of better graft uptake (p = 0.0156), and better average audiological gain (8.56 ± 0.93 dB) with p value = 0.0315. A diligent post-operative follow-up is must for assessing the outcomes of different types of mastoidectomies. This study shows no statistical difference in the disease recurrence and complication rates between Canal Wall Up and Down Tympano-mastoidectomies, though the anatomical changes and creation of the mastoid cavity in canal wall down procedure may affect the graft uptake and post-operative hearing gain. Use of Oto-endoscopes in cholesteatoma surgery helps in improving the outcomes of both techniques and thus recommended if the facility for the same is available.

Intraoperative Classification of Cholesteatoma Using ChOLE Classification and Evaluating its Treatment Outcomes Using Inside Out Approach Mastoidectomy

The primary objective is to classify acquired cholesteatoma according to the ChOLE classification system based on the preoperative and intraoperative findings, and to describe prevalence of each stage. The secondary objective is to correlate the extent of inside out approach mastoidectomy required with the staged extent of cholesteatoma. A non-randomized Prospective Observational study conducted in 67 patients in a tertiary care hospital. Each case was categorized according to the ChOLE classification system including cholesteatoma extension, ossicular chain status, life threatening complications and eustachian tube dysfunction. Based on the extent of disease, inside out approach mastoidectomy was done and results analysed. Most patients presented with stage 2 disease [67%]. Canal wall was preserved for all stage I, and in stage II cholesteatoma canal wall was either kept intact, reconstructed or lowered based on the extent of erosion of posterior meatal wall and cholesteatoma extension. All stage III underwent canal wall down mastoidectomy. Staging of cholesteatoma by ChOLE classification allows standardization in reporting gravity of disease and surgical outcomes. Inside out approach mastoidectomy contributes to the successful surgical management of cholesteatoma by eradicating the disease with the creation of a smaller cavity.

Chronic Draining Ear and Cholesteatoma Recidivism: A Retrospection from Clinical, Imaging, and Surgical Perspectives

Objective

To evaluate the reasons for persistent draining ear and cholesteatoma recidivism following canal wall down (CWD) tympanomastoidectomy by studying the sensitivity of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scanning in different potential etiologies, corroborating through appropriate surgical intervention, and thereby, to suggest proper preventive measures.

Methods

In this observational study, 32 chronic, refractory draining ears were subjected to revision surgery following a radical or a modified radical mastoidectomy. Besides disease (cholesteatoma/granulations) eradication, pitfalls of the primary surgeries were addressed. Data were interpreted for studying the epidemiologic profile, the clinical presentation at recurrence, the type of primary surgery, the sites of recidivism, the probable causes, and the best possible management at revision.

Results

Of the 32 patients/ears, 23 had residual/recurrent cholesteatoma. Major reasons were inadequate disease clearance, contracted/inadequate conchomeatoplasty, no cavity obliteration, and inappropriate bone work. HRCT predicted persistent bridge and lateral semicircular canal dehiscence with 100%, and ossicular integrity and bony overhang with >80% sensitivity. Sinus tympani and oval window niche were the commonest sites of recurrence. At revision, radical/modified radical mastoidectomies were associated with cavity obliteration and appropriate revision of conchomeatoplasty in 28 patients.

Conclusion

Recurrence of cholesteatoma/granulations is an important cause for chronic drainage from post-CWD cavities. Revision surgery explores the surgical pitfalls, and ensures clearance of disease from hidden areas, adequate bone work, and optimum conchomeatoplasty following cavity obliteration to provide a safe, dry ear with hearing improvement whenever feasible.