Acquired stenosis of the external auditory canal – long-term results and patient satisfaction

Abstract

Background: The surgical treatment of acquired post-inflammatory atresia of the external auditory canal (EAC) is challenging. Based on the long-term surgical experience, a modified split skin graft technique has been established at our clinic.

Aims/Objectives: The aim was to evaluate the clinical and audiological data and patient satisfaction after performing meatoplasty.

Material and methods: In total, 16 patients were included who underwent intraoperative enlargement of the bony EAC, resection of the fibrotic scar tissue, reconstruction with split skin grafts and splinting of the anterior tympanomeatal angle in the period of 2004–2016. Patients presented at a long-term follow-up appointment for reevaluation.

Results: The mean follow-up time was 52 months after surgery. The pure-tone average (52 dB vs. 31 dB) and the air-bone gap (27 dB vs. 11 dB) decreased significantly compared to the preoperative status. The grade of stenosis also showed a significant improvement during the follow-up visit. Complete re-atresia was observed only in two patients (10.5%).

Conclusion: The applied surgical technique is a safe and successful treatment option for acquired atresia of the EAC.

Significance: The study provides important data for the surgical treatment of acquired atresia of the EAC and corroborates the significance of intensive aftercare.

Chinese abstract

背景：后天性外耳道（EAC）炎症后闭锁的外科治疗具有挑战性。基于长期的手术经验, 在我们的诊所已经建立了一种改进的分裂皮肤移植技术。

目的：目的是评估用我们的技术进行耳道成形术后的临床和听力学数据以及患者满意度。

材料和方法：总共有16例患者在2004 - 2016年期间接受术中骨性EAC的扩大, 切除纤维化瘢痕组织, 用分裂皮肤移植物和夹板来重建鼓室前角鼓膜。患者来我处长期随访并接受重新评估。

结果：平均随访时间为术后52个月。与术前状态相比, 纯音平均值（52 dB比31 dB）和气骨间隙（27 dB比11 dB）显著下降。随访期间狭窄程度也显著改善。只有两名患者（10.5%）观察到完全再闭锁。

结论：所应用的外科技术是EAC后天性闭锁的安全且成功的治疗选择。

意义：该研究为EAC获得性闭锁的外科治疗提供了重要数据, 并证实了术后监护的重要性。

Keywords:

• Ear canal
• skin transplantation
• patient satisfaction
• hearing loss
• treatment outcome

Acknowledgments

This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

There was no financial support or funding during the preparation of this article.