Exposure of the facial recess through the ear canal. Value in posterosuperior retraction pockets (initial results)
Candau, P.; Elbez, M.; Coupez, D.
Annales d'Oto-Laryngologie et de Chirurgie Cervico Faciale Bulletin de la Societe d'Oto-Laryngologie des Hopitaux de Paris 109(3): 136-141
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-438X PMID: 1444089 Document Number: 394050
19 patients had surgery for progressive [17] and/or symptomatic [2] posterior attic retraction pockets involving the facial recess. Exposition of the suprapyramidal region was obtained after endaural incision by thinning the posterior wall of the ear canal and removing the posterior-superior portion of the tympanic sulcus. This technique is less complicated than intact canal wall tympanoplasty with mastoidectomy. Yet gives similar functional results. After a mean follow-up of 20.3 months, we have observed no residual cholesteatoma and no recurrent retraction pockets. Unlike posterior tympanoplasty, this technique makes it possible to meticulously remove the osteitic bone invariably found in the facial recess when there is infection of the retraction pocket.