Abstract
We report Z-meatoplasty for use during “canal-wall down” procedures to treat patients with cholesteatoma. A skin incision is made along the posterior and inferior conchal borders, along the posterior ear canal meatus to create two deltoidal flaps, an inferiorly based flap of ear canal skin and a posterosuperiorly based flap of conchal skin. The conchal cartilage and underlying soft tissue are excised and the two triangular flaps are transposed and sutured to each other to complete the Z-plasty. The Z-plasty is good for meatoplasty, because it has the effects of elongation and forming a peak to valley. The Z-meatoplasty is relative easy to use, does not make a raw surface, provides easy access to the attic, posterior mesotympanum and mastoid cavity, and is cosmetically acceptable.
