Relook on Mastoid Cavity Obliteration: A Prospective Study

Canal wall down (CWD) mastoidectomy is the operation of choice for unsafe variety of chronic otitis media. But open mastoid cavity poses many problems. The solution of these problems is obliteration of mastoid cavity that is self-cleaning and easily maintained. In our study we aim to establish the effective technique for mastoid cavity obliteration in CWD mastoidectomy and review its efficacy in producing a dry, low maintenance cavity. This was a non-randomized longitudinal prospective study, performed over 2½ years in the department of ENT in a tertiary care hospital of Kolkata. Patients of chronic otitis media unsafe variety within the age group of 16–60 years were included in our study. Chronic otitis media unsafe variety with intratemporal or intracranial complications, and extensive cholesteatoma or granulation tissue that can’t be cleared completely during operation were excluded. There was no statistical significance for hearing improvement between CWD mastoidectomy without obliteration and CWD mastoidectomy with obliteration. There was significant statistical significance for obliteration of cavity, epithelized cavity and dry cavity between CWD mastoidectomy without obliteration and CWD mastoidectomy with obliteration. Persistent discharge and granulation were significantly more in non-obliterated group. The time taken by the ear to become dry is much shorter after mastoid cavity obliteration. Moreover, lifelong aural toilet and dependence on an ENT surgeon is avoided. Inspite of all these, a few pre-conditions must be fulfilled before embarking on this type of surgery.