[Principles of cholesteatoma surgery]

Identification of risk factors for residual cholesteatoma in children and adults: a retrospective study on 110 cases of revision surgery

Introduction

Residual disease after cholesteatoma removal is still a challenge for the otorhinolaryngologist. Scheduled “second-look” surgery and, more recently, radiological screenings are used to identify residual cholesteatoma as early as possible. However, these procedures are cost-intensive and are accompanied by discomfort and risks for the patient.

Objective

To identify anamnestic, clinical, and surgery-related risk factors for residual cholesteatoma.

Methods

The charts of 108 patients, including children as well as adults, having undergone a second-look or revision surgery after initial cholesteatoma removal at a tertiary referral hospital, were analyzed retrospectively.

Results

Gender, age, mastoid pneumatization, prior ventilation tube insertion, congenital cholesteatoma, erosion of ossicles, atticotomy, resection of chorda tympani, different reconstruction materials, and postoperative otorrhea did not emerge as statistically significant risk factors for residual disease. However, prior adenoid removal, cholesteatoma growth to the sinus tympani and to the antrum and mastoid, canal-wall-up 2 ways approach, and postoperative retraction and perforation were associated with a statistically higher rate of residual disease. A type A tympanogram as well as canal-wall-down plus reconstruction 2 ways approach for extended epitympanic and for extended epitympanic and mesotympanic cholesteatomas were associated with statistically lower rates of residual disease. A score including the postoperative retraction or perforation of the tympanic membrane, the quality of the postoperative tympanogram and the intraoperative extension of the cholesteatoma to the sinus tympani and/or the antrum was elaborated and proved to be suitable for predicting residual cholesteatoma with acceptable sensitivity and high specificity.

Conclusion

Cholesteatoma extension to the sinus tympani, antrum and mastoid makes a residual disease more likely. The canal-wall-down plus reconstruction 2 ways approach seems safe with similar rates of residual cholesteatoma and without the known disadvantages of canal-wall-down surgery. The described score can be useful for identifying patients who need a postoperative radiological control and a second-look surgery.

Infectious causes of cholesteatoma and treatment of infected ossicles prior to reimplantation by hydrostatic high-pressure inactivation

Chronic inflammation, which is caused by recurrent infections, is one of the factors contributing to the pathogenesis of cholesteatoma. If reimplantation of autologous ossicles after a surgical intervention is intended, inactivation of planktonic bacteria and biofilms is desirable. High hydrostatic pressure treatment is a procedure, which has been used to inactivate cholesteatoma cells on ossicles. Here we discuss the potential inactivating effect of high hydrostatic pressure on microbial pathogens including biofilms. Recent experimental data suggest an incomplete inactivation at a pressure level, which is tolerable for the bone substance of ossicles and results at least in a considerable reduction of pathogen load. Further studies are necessary to access how far this quantitative reduction of pathogens is sufficient to prevent ongoing chronic infections, for example, due to forming of biofilms.

Hearing outcomes following primary malleostapedial rotation ossiculoplasty in patients undergoing modified radical mastoidectomy

INTRODUCTION

Treatment of cholesteatoma consists of either excision or exteriorisation of disease. Approaches have traditionally included a radical or modified radical mastoidectomy and combined approach tympanoplasty. Hearing thresholds following a modified radical mastoidectomy alone have been reported as poor. We assessed hearing outcomes in patients undergoing a primary malleostapedial reconstruction combined with their open cavity surgery.

METHODS

All patients undergoing open cavity mastoidectomy with primary malleostapedial rotation ossiculoplasty between 2009 and 2013 were identified. Case notes were reviewed, and demographic data, recurrence rate and audiometry were recorded.

RESULTS

Twenty-one patients were identified. The age range was 10-65 years. There was no evidence of recurrence of cholesteatoma. The mean postoperative air-bone gap was 20dBHL, 23dBHL, 10dBHL and 27dBHL at 0.5kHz, 1kHz, 2kHz and 4kHz respectively. Excluding cases consistent with a postoperative ossicular discontinuity (n=3), the mean postoperative air-bone gap was 15dBHL, 19dBHL, 8dBHL and 26dBHL at 0.5kHz, 1kHz, 2kHz and 4kHz respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The improvement in hearing thresholds demonstrated in this cohort of patients supports the use of this form of ossiculoplasty in those undergoing open cavity procedures. This would also suggest that the subsequent use of hearing aids in these patients would require less amplification and therefore provide superior hearing outcomes. As hearing loss remains a significant concern following modified radical mastoidectomy, we suggest an open cavity with primary malleostapedial rotation ossiculoplasty as a viable alternative to modified radical mastoidectomy alone, in selected cases.

Cold atmospheric plasma for local infection control and subsequent pain reduction in a patient with chronic post-operative ear infection

Following surgery of cholesteatoma, a patient developed a chronic infection of the external auditory canal, including extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing Escherichia coli, which caused severe pain. The application of cold atmospheric plasma resulted in a significant reduction in pain and clearance of bacterial carriage, allowing antibiotics and analgesics to be ceased.