[Postoperative epitympanic retraction in cases of cholesteatomas (author's transl)]

Patients with epitympanic cholesteatomas, where the intact canal technique was performed, were observed over 5 resp. 6 years following surgery. While in 27 out of 55 patients a new epitympanic retraction of the tympanic membrane was found, only in 4 cases in these pockets a cholesteatoma developed. This, including the residual cholesteatoma, represents the most important postoperative complication. In tube pressure equalization test we found in 43% of the patients tested an almost normal tube function; in the other patients the tube function is impaired to a varying extent. According to our test results postoperative retraction pockets develop independent of tube function. Even in normal tube function, inserted grommets or perforations of the tympanic membrane - where a sufficient aeration of the middle ear is secured - retraction pockets of varying dimensions may develop. Factors which support the formation of postoperative epitympanic retraction pockets and the part of the tube function are discussed.