A retrospective study was performed in adults operated on with CWU tympanoplasty for middle ear cholesteatoma. The surgical technique of 鈥渕odeling鈥?cartilage is described.
One hundred and nine patients were included (113 procedures). There were four recurrences (3.5%). Mean follow-up was 48 months (range, 24-96 months). In case of normal ossicular chain, postoperative pure-tone average air-bone gap was always less than 20 dB, and less than 20 dB following myringostapedopexy in 60%of cases with incus destruction.
Modeling cartilage is a reliable reconstruction technique to prevent recurrent cholesteatoma, and contributes to the quality of functional results in ossiculoplasty.