Cavity Obliteration and Ear Canal Size

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Abstract
Preoperative measurements of ear canal volume resulted in an average value of 0.8 ml in 134 ears. Radical mastoid surgery and removal of the posterior bony ear canal wall was performed together with cavity obliteration, with a meatally based musculoperiosteal flap. One month post-operatively the ear canals were significantly smaller (0.6 ml) than before surgery. The initial volume was again recorded at three months. Further widening occurred up to one year postoperatively (1.0 ml), but the figures then remained unchanged until the two-year point. Widening mainly occurred in the epitympanic area; with a correct technique of obliterative surgery, it is possible to obtain ear canals only slightly larger than normal.