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Published on: January 26, 2024
Acquired External Auditory Canal Atresia: A Comparison of Acellular Dermal Matrix and Split-thickness Skin Grafting
Michel A Evans1, Eric M Sugihara, Eleanor Y Chan
1*Detroit Medical Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing †Michigan Ear Institute, Farmington Hills ‡St. John Providence Health System, Warren §Wayne State University, Detroit ||Michigan State University, East Lansing ¶Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, Michigan.
Objective:
To describe the use of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) in the repair of acquired external auditory canal atresia (AEACA), and compare surgical results to AEACA repair by split-thickness skin grafting (STSG).
Study Design:
Retrospective chart review.
Setting:
Neurotology clinical practice.
Patients And Intervention:
From 2007 to 2015, 25 AEACA surgeries (8 ADM and 17 STSG) were identified meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria. Pre- and postoperative audiometric data with clinical follow-up were examined.
Outcome Measures:
Rate of external auditory canal restenosis, improvement of conductive hearing loss, and resolution of otorrhea.
Results:
Both surgical groups had similar preoperative air bone gaps (ABG). Mean follow-up was 24 months. There was no significant difference in restenosis rates between the ADM (13%, n = 1/8) and STSG (12%, n = 2/17) groups. ABG improved from 28 dB to 11 dB in the ADM group and from 24 dB to 9 dB in the STSG group. ABG closure with surgery was statistically significant (p < 0.05), but there was no difference between the two groups. There was no significant reduction of otorrhea.
Conclusion:
Acellular dermal matrix grafting has not been previously reported for use in AEACA repair, and is a reasonable alternative to STSG with similar hearing, restenosis, and otorrhea outcomes.
