[Treatment of acquired stenosis of the external auditory canal]

Often difficult surgical problems are encountered during treatment of acquired stenosis of external auditory canal. Theses stenoses can be of tumoral, inflammatory or traumatic origin and are the cause of infectious complications related to epidermal retention. Even with the assistance of modern imaging procedures, preoperative investigation is not simple, precise details of lesions being obtained in greater detail during surgical exploration. Four stages are involved in surgical treatment: excision of lesion, reaming of bony canal and enlargement of auditory meatus, providing cover and maintaining graft in place. The CO2 laser can be useful for excision of lesion or possible postoperative recurrence, and adjacent pedicle flaps are best for covering site. Postoperative inflammatory episodes can be treated by infiltration of local corticoids. Whatever the result of these different techniques, long-term surveillance of these patients is essential.