[Causes of failure in radical surgery of the mastoid]

We review the surgical findings of 85 revisional radical mastoidectomies for recurrent otic discharge, with the purpose to determinate the causes of surgical failure. Cholesteatoma was found in 38.8% of the cases. The other causes were unexentered cells and granulation tissue in the sinodural angle, mastoid tip, tegmental cells and root of the zygoma. The facial recess was the place of residual cholesteatoma in 47% and the supratubal recces in 40% of the cases. We emphasized the big importance of a good meatoplasty, this was the cause of failure in 62.4% of cases. A dry ear was obtained in 94% of the cases. The mean following up period was three years.