Traumatic external auditory canal atresia

Gunshot injuries in the periauricular region can result in massive tissue distortion and destruction. The soft tissue effects can be so dramatic that otologic abnormalities can be initially overlooked, especially by non-otolaryngologists. Delayed stenosis or complete closure of the external auditory canal can occur. We present two cases of post-traumatic ear canal atresia that were initially overlooked by non-otolaryngologists, until secondary plastic reconstructive operations were performed in which preauricular skin incisions entered into large canal cholesteatomas. These canal cholesteatomas resulted from total obstruction of the external auditory canal after trauma.