Temporal bone resections for carcinoma of the middle ear and the external ear canal

Petrosectomy has been used in the management of carcinoma of the external ear canal and the middle ear for the last 45 years. In recent years, there have been conflicting reports; some authors advocate a conservative approach, whereas others support an ultraradical approach. Most retrospective studies report patients who have been treated with radiotherapy or surgery as having undergone the primary modality depending on where the patient first presented. No selection criteria seem to have been employed. Although radiotherapy was used postoperatively, the problems of wound healing were not addressed. This study presents our experience with temporal bone resection as described by Lewis and shows that, in combination with patient selection and proper choice of incision, reconstruction and timely postoperative radiotherapy can achieve better results, and the patient's quality of life can be preserved.