Half canal wall down tympanomastoidectomy.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to analyse the effect of half canal wall down tympanomastoidectomy in the treatment of chronic otitis media or cholesteatoma.
Method: In this retrospective study, the half canal wall down tympanomastoidectomy technique was used at our hospital for chronic otitis media or cholesteatoma removal in 265 adult patients, representing 271 operated ears, with an average follow-up time of 8.4 years.
Results: The post-operative cavities were slightly wider and straighter in 91.9 per cent of the ears. Fifteen per cent of the patients needed cavity cleaning every six months, 25 per cent of them needed cavity cleaning every year and 60 per cent of the patients had a self-cleaning cavity. Only one patient with a cleft palate experienced cholesteatoma recurrence in the mesotympanum.
Conclusion: The half canal wall down tympanomastoidectomy technique showed a low-recurrence rate and satisfying operative cavities. The half canal wall down tympanomastoidectomy technique is a good choice for middle ear surgery.