title: Epithelial migration in open mastoidectomy cavities.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the rate and pattern of epithelial migration in 18 dry, open mastoidectomy cavities.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective study of 19 patients who had undergone mastoidectomy at a secondary (state) hospital and a tertiary referral centre at least 6 months previously and whose mastoid cavities were dry and not infected. Their mastoidectomy cavities were cleaned and India ink dots applied in its medial aspect under microscope. The patients were followed up at 1 or 2 weekly intervals for a minimum of 3 months or until the dots disappeared, whichever came first. On follow-up, the cavities were examined under microscope. If migration was observed, the rate and pattern were noted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most (94.4%) of the cavities were noted to have epithelial migration laterally. No migration was observed in 5.6%. The start of migration of ink dots was noted in the 2nd week in 53% of the cavities, with a mean of 3.05 weeks. The mean rate of migration was 0.68 mm/week.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Epithelial migration appears to be predominantly lateral (94.4%), with onset in the 2nd week (53%) at a rate of 0.68 mm/week. Epithelial migration might not play an important role in accumulation of wax in open mastoidectomy cavities.
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT, University Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Sabah, Malaysia.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Ong
authors.forename: Narayanan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Prepageran
authors.forename: Sharad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Godbole
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Raman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002465:Cell Movement; D018424:Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008416:Mastoid / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged