Learning Objectives:
Objectives/Hypothesis: To observe the usefulness of anterior based periosteal (Palva) flap for mastoid cavity obliteration in canal wall down tympanomastoidectomy and review its efficacy in producing a dry, low-maintenance, small mastoid cavity.
Study design: Retrospective study of a consecutive series of procedures from 2012 to 2014.
Methods: Sixty one consecutive procedures for active chronic otitis media with a minimum follow-up of 6 months (mean, 21 mo; range, 6–40 mo).
Results: 45 ears of cholesteatoma and 11 ears of adhesive otitis media were enrolled this study, and others were chronic otitis media(4 ears), adenoma of middle ear(1 ear). 52 ears (85.2 %) maintained a small, dry, healthy mastoid cavity. 3 ears (4.9 %) had intermittent otorrhea easily controlled by topical treatment, 2 ears (3.2 %) had persistent otorrhea. 3 ears (4.9 %) had showed reperforation of tympanic membrane. There were 1 ears of residual or recurrent cholesteatomas. Outcomes remained stable over progressively longer follow-up, up to 40 months.
Conclusion: Obliteration of a canal wall down mastoid cavity by a postauricular periosteal flap is a reliable and effective technique that results in a dry, trouble-free mastoid cavity in 85.2 % of patients with active chronic otitis media.
