title: Titanium mesh for functional reconstruction of the mastoid cortex after mastoidectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe a rapid and effective means of reconstructing the mastoid cortex after mastoidectomy for chronic otitis media with and without cholesteatoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary referral otology clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  Those undergoing tympanoplasty and mastoidectomy for chronic otitis media.
  
  
  METHODS
  After tympanoplasty and mastoidectomy, the mastoidectomy defect was reconstructed using titanium mesh with subsequent closure as routine.
  
  
  METHODS
  Evaluation of soft-tissue ingrowth into the mastoid 12 to 24 months after surgery and clinical evaluation of the postauricular surgical site for accentuation of the postauricular sulcus.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 99 patients, the mastoidectomy defect was reconstructed using titanium mesh. None was found to have pitting of the postauricular sulcus. One patient had partial extrusion of the mesh through the ear canal. No instance of wound infection was observed. Soft-tissue growth into the mastoid cavity was found to be minimized.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Titanium mesh is a rapid and effective means of minimizing soft-tissue ingrowth into the mastoid and preventing accentuation of the postauricular sulcus after mastoid surgery.
authors.affiliation: Wilson Ear Clinic, Portland, Oregon 97209, USA. galbey@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Harold H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: David F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D018424:Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008416:Mastoid / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D014025:Titanium; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014025:Titanium