Otitis media — Open techniques

Abstract

In 1873, more than a century ago, v. Tröltsch proposed a modification of the simple mastoidectomy technique because of the high percentage of recurrence of otorrhea or cholesteatomas. Von Bergman applied the name “radical” to the process of removing the posterio-superior bony wall of the external auditory canal and leaving an open cavity. Almost a hundred years ago, Zaufal described the surgery technique which left the antrum, mastoids, the attic, the middle ear and the canal all exposed. A year later, Stakes described meatoplasty. This radical technique had helped to control the problem of recurring disease because it enables us to completely clean out the mastoid cavity, when necessary, by taking out both the ossicles (except the stapes) and the tympanic remnant (without much attention, however, to hearing function).