Abstract
The results of tympanoplasty performed in 72 ears with cholesteatoma from 1988 to 1992 are analyzed. The patients were followed for 6 to 60 months (average 21.4 months). The canal down method was used in 32 ears, the canal up method in 8 ears, and posterior wall reconstruction in 32 ears. Mastoid obliteration was done in 61 ears. Staged and second look operations were performed in 19 and 14 ears, respectively. Fifteen of the 33 ears with staged or second look operations had residual cholesteatoma. Recurrence was observed in one ear treated with the canal up method and in 3 ears treated with posterior wall reconstruction. No recurrence was observed in ears treated with the canal down method. Tympanoplasty type I, type II, type II, columella type III, columella type IV were performed in 8, 1, 1, 48 and 14 ears, respectively. Autologous cartilage from the auricle was used in most ears as a columella. The rate of success of hearing preservation was 82% according to the Criteria of the Japan otological Society. There was no large difference in the rate of success of hearing preservation among the ears treated with the canal down method, canal up method and posterior wall reconstruction.
