Mastoid Obliteration with Synthetic Materials: A Review of the Literature.

Canal wall down mastoidectomy is a surgical technique used for the eradication of middle ear disease. The remaining large mastoid bowl is associated with a number of issues; one of the main techniques that have been developed in order to avoid such problems is the obliteration of the mastoid cavity. The materials used for this reason are either biological or synthetic. The purpose of this survey is to review the published literature related to the therapeutic value of mastoid obliteration with synthetic materials. We searched Web of Science, PubMed, and MEDLINE from 2008 to 2018 using the criteria mastoid obliteration, canal wall down mastoidectomy, chronic otitis media, and cholesteatoma. The search focused on papers concerning the mastoid obliteration with synthetic material, as we focused on looking for outcomes and reported complications. Out of a total of 244 citations, 15 articles were identified, where patients underwent mastoid obliteration with synthetic materials. Most authors used bioactive glass as a filler material. Mastoid obliteration resulted in a decrease in the complications associated with the open mastoid cavity. On the basis of the available limited literature, it seems that mastoid obliteration with synthetic materials is a valuable and safe surgical technique for patients who undergo canal wall down mastoidectomy. The bioactive glass appears to be the most reliable synthetic material.