Controversies in aural atresia repair.
OBJECTIVE
To discuss recent controversies regarding the management of aural atresia.


RESULTS
Management of unilateral atresia is less controversial. Candidacy for successful repair is based on high-resolution computed tomography findings and atresia grading. The bone-anchored hearing aid is a viable alternative strategy for hearing improvement. Stability of hearing results following atresia repair improves with the number of atresiaplasties performed. Development of image-guided surgery may provide benefit in atresia surgery. New unrecognized rare complications of aural atresia and atresia repair including salivary fistula and middle ear cholesteatoma are now being recognized and are manageable.


CONCLUSIONS
Management of aural atresia continues to be difficult and surrounded by controversy. New studies and cases series may shed light on these management issues.
de Alarcon
Alessandro
A
Center for Hearing and Deafness Research, Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3039, USA.
Choo
Daniel I
DI
D002983:Clinical Competence; D003657:Decision Making; D004431:Ear, External / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D006310:Hearing Aids; D006314:Hearing Loss, Conductive / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D018579:Patient Selection; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted