Small cavity mastoidectomy--5 year review.

It has been recognized that the traditional method of open mastoid surgery often produces a larger mastoid cavity than necessary. Small cavity mastoidectomy is advocated to reduce the size of the mastoid cavity by exteriorizing the cholesteatoma from the epitympanum backwards. When this operation is performed in a sclerotic mastoid bone, the resulting cavity is very small. The 5 year review of 39 ears with small cavity mastoidectomy is presented. Not only were the mastoid cavities small, they remained stable and trouble-free. It also enabled the patients to enjoy swimming and minimizing wax accumulation within the cavities. The hearing results after 5 years were comparable to that of the closed technique. Formation of cholesterol granuloma behind the concho-meatal flap was an uncommon complication.