Techniques in Management of Cholesteatoma: Subtotal Petrosectomy; Blind Sac Closure

Subtotal petrosectomy plays a critical role in the management of late-stage cholesteatoma. This procedure is indicated either for recurrent cholesteatoma that has failed prior surgical therapies or when life-threatening infectious complications are present. By exenterating all diseased areas of the temporal bone and closing off the ear canal, subtotal petrosectomy has a much greater chance of removing cholesteatoma and preventing recidivism.