SUBTOTAL PETROSECTOMY WITH EXTERNAL CANAL OVERCLOSURE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC SUPPURATIVE OTITIS-MEDIA

Subtotal petrosectomy with external canal overclosure has been used in the management of 10 patients with chronic suppurative otitis media i n the past four years. These patients fall into two categories. One gr oup consisted of patients with end-stage chronically discharging masto id cavities, despite aggressive medical therapy. The other group compr ised patients who had developed disabling peripheral vestibular sympto ms and had a mastoid cavity from past surgery for chronic otitis media . In both groups the affected ear had absent or poor auditory function . In the second group, a translabyrinthine section of the vestibular a nd/or cochlear nerves was performed in conjunction with subtotal petro sectomy. The procedure has been very successful in relieving the persi stent otorrhoea, giving the patient an ear without a cavity that would need regular care. No restriction on swimming and participation in ot her water sports is an additional advantage. Illustrative cases are us ed to discuss the technique and indications.