Postinflammatory acquired atresia of the external auditory canal: late results of surgery

Postinflammatory atresia of the external meatus following recurrent external otitis or chronic otitis media has been treated in twenty-two ears with endaural excision of the fibrous tissue and coverage of the denuded drum and bone of the medial part of the external ear canal with a split-skin transplant. Primary and late results are presented. During the first six months postoperatively, the patients developed recurrent atresia. At follow-up, with a median observation time of five years, no further progression of atresia had occurred. Hearing improvement has been considerable after removal of the atresia, and in many ears the air-bone gap was closed, so the patient also benefited from the operation in the long run.