Modified meatotympanoplasty for external auditory canal stenosis and lateralized tympanic membrane: a preliminary study

Abstract

Background: The surgical treatment of external auditory canal stenosis (EACS) and lateralized tympanic membrane (LTM) is challenging because there is a high risk of postoperative complications.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the postoperative hearing levels and other outcomes of 10 cases with EACS and LTM.

Materials and methods: This was a retrospective preliminary study of patients with EACS and LTM who underwent meatotympanoplasty from 2008 to 2018. Their mean age at surgery was 31.6 years. The surgeries were performed taking into consideration the following: (1) creating a large EAC and functioning tympanic membrane (TM) and (2) avoiding complete mastoidectomy to prevent postoperative cavity problems.

Results: The mean follow-up period was 3 years 10 months. The average preoperative and postoperative air-bone gaps (ABGs) were 40.4 dB and 23.0 dB, respectively, and there was a significant difference. A postoperative ABG less than 30 dB was achieved in 80% (8/10) of patients. Four cases had postoperative complications (re-stenosis of the EAC and/or re-lateralization of the TM).

Conclusions and significance: The postoperative results presented were comparable to those of previous surgical techniques; however, further development is needed to prevent postoperative complications and earn better hearing results.

Chinese abstract

背景：外耳道狭窄（EACS）和侧化鼓膜（LTM）的手术治疗具有很大的挑战性, 因为术后并发症的风险很高。

目的：评价10例EACS和LTM患者的术后听力水平及其他结果。

材料与方法：回顾性分析2008年至2018年期间接受经口淋巴管成形术治疗的EACS和LTM患者的临床资料。平均手术年龄31.6岁。实施手术时考虑到以下几点：（1）建立一个大的EAC和功能性鼓膜（TM）；（2）避免乳突完全切除, 以防止术后腔问题。

结果：平均随访3年10个月。术前和术后平均气骨间隙分别为40.4 dB和23.0 dB, 有显著性差异。80%（8/10）的患者术后ABG低于30 dB。术后并发症4例（EAC再狭窄和/或TM再侧化）。

结论与意义：术后结果与以往手术方法的结果相当；然而, 手术仍需进一步完善, 以预防术后并发症, 并获得更好的听力效果。

Keywords:

• Meatotympanoplasty
• external auditory canal stenosis
• lateralized tympanic membrane

Acknowledgement

We thank Dr. Yasuhiro Manabe for the data of Shinseikai Toyama Hospital.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.