Technique and results in total reconstruction of the posterior canal wall using costal cartilage

Middle ear reconstruction using the closed technique for the purpose of rehabilitating radical cavities includes all the surgical steps necessary to perform a combined approach tympanoplasty, both with respect to eradication of the disease and to reconstruction. The only point of difference is the total reconstruction of the posterior wall, which moreover constitutes the essential step. At present we perform posterior wall reconstruction by means of a coastal cartilage allograft, inserted into two grooves in the bone and firmly stabilized by fibrin glue. The operation, in 90% of cases, is performed in more than one stage.