[The evaluation of different techniques used in the treatment of cholesteatomas (author's transl)]

The authors study the results of surgical treatment of cholesteatomas on the basis of 748 records of chronic otitis - active or dry. Firstly at the time of eradication of lesions with a curative intention, amongst 152 cholesteatomas discovered, they noted that the result was successful in almost all cases following complete removal, contrasting with the frequent recurrence (25 to 30%) seen after other techniques. Subsequently, following closure of the ear by tympanoplasty or homograft, there was recurrence of cholesteatoma in one case out of 3 despite severe patient selection. In conclusion, the authors feel that the greatest caution should be exercised in treatment with conservative or reconstructive aims, the indications of which must be based not only on otological factors but also personal factors in the patient.