Postoperative Results of Middle Ear Cholesteatoma.

Surgical treatment of middle ear cholesteatoma was evaluated from the point of postoperative hearing and recurrence of cholesteatoma. Of the 36 ears operated on in the previous 5 years and 5 months, intact canal wall tympanoplasty was performed in 27 ears, and tympanoplasty with posterior canal wall removal in 9 ears. The patients were evaluated for a follow-up period of more than 6 months after tympanoplasty. The rate of success in hearing improvement was 82.4% according to the criteria of the Japan Otological Society. Recurrence of the cholesteatoma was found in 2 ears (5.6%), which had been treated by intact canal wall tympanoplasty. A retraction pocket in the attic was found in 5 ears (17.9%), following intact canal wall tympanoplasty. Reconstruction of the attic defect with cartilage and obliteration of the mastoid cavity were useful in the prevention of postoperative retraction pocket.