Canal wall up tympanoplasty for middle ear cholesteatoma in adults: Modeling cartilage

SummaryObjectivesThe authors report their experience with a variant cartilage tympanoplasty technique in a canal wall up (CWU) procedure for middle ear cholesteatoma, comparing reliability with other techniques. Functional results are analyzed according to ossicular chain status.Materials and methodsA retrospective study was performed in adults operated on with CWU tympanoplasty for middle ear cholesteatoma. The surgical technique of “modeling” cartilage is described.ResultsOne hundred and nine patients were included (113 procedures). There were four recurrences (3.5%). Mean follow-up was 48 months (range, 24–96 months). In case of normal ossicular chain, postoperative pure-tone average air-bone gap was always less than 20 dB, and less than 20 dB following myringostapedopexy in 60% of cases with incus destruction.ConclusionModeling cartilage is a reliable reconstruction technique to prevent recurrent cholesteatoma, and contributes to the quality of functional results in ossiculoplasty.