Endoscopic transcutaneous mastoidoscopy for evaluation of residual epitympanic/mastoid cholesteatoma

It is generally agreed that patients subjected to an intact canal wall mastoidectomy to excise mastoid/epitympanic cholesteatoma should undergo a "second-look" operation to rule out residual cholesteatoma. The morbidity of this second operation can be significantly reduced with endoscopic mastoidoscopy, when compared to the traditional postauricular (open) incision approach. Details, benefits, and limitations of endoscopic mastoidoscopy are discussed.