Treatment of tympanic membrane retraction pockets by excision. A prospective study

The treatment of tympanic membrane retraction pockets by simple excision is described in 66 ears in 50 patients. After one operation 65 per cent of the retraction pockets were successfully treated (mean follow up 14.1 months). Persisting perforations occurred in five patients after one excision. Retrotympanic cholesteatoma was found in one patient, after two retraction pocket excision operations. The number of myringotomies with grommet insertion and the presence of bilateral disease does not predict the outcome of the procedure. Simple excision should be considered in the first instance, rather than reinforcement tympanoplasty using temporalis fascia or cartilage graft, in the treatment of tympanic membrane retraction pockets.