External auditory canal stenosis and atresia: dual flap surgery

Surgical correction of the severely stenosed or atretic external canal still remains a difficult surgical challenge. As more and more techniques are described, it is apparent that the main thrust and emphasis is to prevent late cicatrization or stenosis. The essential principles are to create a wide canal and cover as much raw surface as possible with skin, preferably full-thickness and with an intact blood supply. The following technique, using dual flaps, has been used successfully in 10 consecutive problem ears with unusual underlying pathologies. With follow-up ranging from seven months to four years, there have been no cases of restenosis to date.