title: [Long-term results of canal wall down mastoidectomy].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study evaluates the anatomical and functional long-term results of canal wall down mastoidectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyse the results of 259 primary, one stage canal wall down mastoidectomies with type III, IV or V ossiculoplasty performed between 1974 and 1998. The indication for surgery was chronic active otitis with cholesteatoma or resistant to conservative treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the long term, 1-24 (mean 7) years after surgery, 95% of the ears showed a dry, self-cleaning cavity and were disease-free. Hearing was preserved or improved in 70% of cases. Surgical revision due to of residual cholesteatoma was necessary in 16 cases (6%). The number of postoperative outpatient visits necessary to treat multiple minor problems was up to 10 visits per patient during the first 6 months after surgery and then gradually decreased over the years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results achieved with canal wall down mastoidectomy are satisfactory in the long term, but the cavities required a high degree of postoperative outpatient care.
authors.affiliation: Clinique et Policlinique d'oto-rhino-laryngologie et de chirurgie cervico-faciale, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève, 24, rue Micheli-du-Crest, CH-1211 Genève 14.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Castrillon
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kos
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Montandon
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Guyot
mesh_terms: D002781:Cholesteatoma / Q000601:surgery; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006320:Hearing Tests; D006801:Humans; D008417:Mastoiditis / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D010031:Otitis / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors