Congenital Malformations of the Ear Analysis of 94 Operations

TLDR

The study reviewed 94 operations on 80 ears in 73 patients with congenital ear malformations. Surgical repair involved labyrinthotomy for absent oval windows, canalplasty with fascia graft and a Silastic button over the substitute tympanic membrane, and a modified face‑lift procedure to align the external ear. Operative findings included congenital absence of the oval window in 13 patients, vascular anomalies in 5, and cholesteatoma in 6; currently no ear canals are stenosed, no active discharge, one temporary facial paralysis, and hearing outcomes were evaluated.

Abstract

The 94 operations analyzed were performed on 80 ears in 73 patients with congenital malformation of the ear. Operative findings included 13 patients with a congenital absence of the oval window, 5 patients with vascular anomaly of the middle ear, and 6 patients with congenital cholesteatoma. Six of 13 patients with congenital absence of the oval window had a labyrinthotomy performed to create a new opening into the vestibule. The method of surgical repair in atresia was a canalplasty with fascia graft overlay for the substitute tympanic membrane. A Silastic® button was placed over the substitute tympanic membrane to lessen blunting and to anchor the center-hole skin graft in place. A modified face lift procedure was done if necessary to align the external ear with the new ear canal. At present no ear canals are stenosed and no ears are actively discharging. One patient sustained a temporary facial paralysis. The hearing results are discussed.