ENDOSCOPIC MANAGEMENT OF CHOLESTEATOMA
M. Tarabichi
American Hospital-Dubai
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Canal wall down mastoidectomy with complete extrication of disease and wide, open, and accessible mastoid cavities are viewed as a definitive, though radical approach to the treatment of cholesteatoma.
Disadvantages of this approach include the presence of troublesome large cavities and less opportunity for ossicular reconstruction. Even in cases where the disease is limited to the attic or antrum, excessive removal of bone and sizable cavities are inherent in traditional postauricular mastoidectomy.
The wide-angle view of the endoscope allows the opportunity for transcanal access to eradicate attic and antrum disease. This is performed through a wide atticotomy that is left and packed open. The tympanic membrane is reconstructed up to the level of the horizontal segment of the facial nerve. This technique allows office-based follow-up and surveillance of recurrent disease through the open attic without the need to create a large cavity. It is my experience that these small cavities have been proven to be benign, shallow and easy to manage. This technique also provides better framework for reconstruction of ossicular chain and tympanic membrane. Video documentation of the pre-operative findings, intra-operative technique, and post-operative results of two cases will be presented.