Long-term results of various surgical treatments for cholesteatoma

The authors have studied 11 series of results following cholesteatoma surgery by closed or open technique. The closed technique was performed in 77%. The notion of surgical revision is not accepted by all surgeons; it is practised with an average of 59% for the whole series. Residual cholesteatoma and/or recurrences are observed in 34% of the cases of which 20% have been discovered at the time of revision surgery. Surgical revision appears mandatory to the authors.