[Effect of surgical reconstruction of congenital aural atresia via the mastoid antrum approach: analysis of 48 cases].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of surgical reconstruction of congenital aural atresia via the mastoid antrum approach and investigate method for preventing postoperative atresia of the reconstructed aural canal.


METHODS
From 2000 to 2008, aural canal reconstruction and tympanoplasty was performed via the mastoid antrum approach. In 48 patients with congenital aural atresia (54 ears, including 45 ears of type II, 9 ears of type III). All the patients were followed-up for 18 months to assess the therapeutic effect.


RESULTS
The mastoid antrum was located uneventfully for all the 54 ears, all showing ossicular chain anomalies involving most frequently the malleus and the incus followed by the upper structures of the stapes. Facial nerve abnormalities were seen in 23 ears (42.6%). Hearing improvement to over 20 dB was achieved in 45 ears (83.3%) and to over 25 dB in 25 ears (46.2%) one year later.


CONCLUSIONS
The mastoid antrum approach for surgical reconstruction of congenital aural atresia is safe and reliable. Maintenance of the width of the aural canal and prevention of lateral healing of the transplanted tympanic membrane are crucial in the treatment of congenital aural atresia.
Wan
Liang-cai
LC
Department of Otolaryngology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, China. wanliangcai@ 126.com
Guo
Meng-he
MH
Xie
Nan-ping
NP
Liu
Shuang-xiu
SX
Chen
Hao
H
Gong
Jian
J
Chen
Shuai-jun
SJ
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004424:Ear Canal / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D004431:Ear, External / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008416:Mastoid / Q000601:surgery; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D014433:Tympanoplasty