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Radical meatoplasty in the treatment of severe chronic external otitis
J Haapaniemi1, E Laurikainen, J Suonpää
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Turku University Central Hospital, Turku, Finland. jorma.haapaniemi@kaarina.fi
Abstract:
In the beginning, external otitis is an inflammation of the skin of the external ear canal. Partial or total obliteration of the meatus causes cleaning problems, which worsen the obliteration, and hence, the infection. Immunosuppressive medication or illness, certain dermatological problems or frequent infections may lead to irreversible changes and to the malignant form of external otitis with life-threatening sequelae. Conservative treatments in the beginning are aimed at regaining the normal skin functions by helping the cleaning process and curing the acute infection with repeated irrigation, proper antibacterial medication and corticosteroids and anti-inflammatory analgesics. In rare prolonged cases, surgical procedures are needed to help the cleaning process by removing the irreversibly thickened skin and bone affections, and using grafts. On the basis of our experience, even the removal of the diseased skin and enlarging of the external ear canal are insufficient procedures in the most difficult cases. In the present paper, we describe a new surgical method that we have performed to treat chronic bilateral obliterative external otitis in 2 patients, with favorable results.
Insights
External otitis, an ear canal inflammation, can lead to severe obliteration. A novel surgical technique shows promise for treating chronic obliterative external otitis when conservative methods fail.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Dermatology
Background:
- External otitis involves external ear canal skin inflammation.
- Meatal obliteration complicates cleaning, exacerbating infection and potentially leading to malignant external otitis.
Observation:
- Immunosuppression, dermatological conditions, or recurrent infections can cause irreversible changes.
- Conservative treatments include irrigation, antibiotics, corticosteroids, and analgesics.
Findings:
- Surgical interventions may be necessary for prolonged or severe cases, involving skin/bone removal and grafts.
- Existing surgical methods can be insufficient for the most challenging cases of chronic bilateral obliterative external otitis.
Implications:
- A new surgical method was developed and tested on two patients with chronic bilateral obliterative external otitis.
- The described novel surgical approach yielded favorable results in treating this difficult condition.
