title: [Canal-wall-down mastoidectomy and tympanoplasty surgery preserving chorda tympani nerve integrality].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report the way for searching the chorda tympani nerve and the significance for preserving the chorda tympani nerve during canal-wall-down mastoidectomy and tympanoplasty surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-six cases with chronic suppurative otitis media underwent canal-wall-down mastoidectomy and tympanoplasty surgery. According to the marker of the short crus of incus, the posterior wall of auditory canal was lowered and crista of the chorda tympani nerve was found through tracing the facial nerve contour. The chorda tympani nerve was preserved after clearing the surrounding tissue.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 66 cases, 24 cases had middle ear cholesteatoma, 42 cases had granulation in middle ear. The cholesteatoma and granulation on the surface of the chorda tympani nerve were cleared thoroughly. No neurotmesis or obvious change of taste occurred after operation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Canal-wall-down mastoidectomy and tympanoplasty surgery preserving chorda tympani nerve integrality may preserve the structure and function of the chorda tympani nerve, reduce the risk of ossicle extrusion above the head of stapes and serve as a frame for transplanting fascia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital University of Medical Science, Beijing, 100050, China.
authors.forename: Lin'e
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ruxiang
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Daoxing
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018424:Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear / Q000601:surgery; D002814:Chorda Tympani Nerve / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008416:Mastoid / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010035:Otitis Media, Suppurative / Q000601:surgery; D014433:Tympanoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult