Open-cavity tympanomastoidectomy

Open-cavity tympanomastoidectomies offer a low rate of recurrence or persistence of cholesteatoma. Reoperation for cholesteatoma occurs in 5% or less of patients. This compares quite favorably to the 20% to 40% recurrence rates associated with closed-cavity techniques. Protracted postoperative drainage is uncommon in well-crafted cavities. Individuals are able to engage in almost all of the activities of daily living without difficulty. Little difference exists in the hearing outcome between open-cavity and closed- cavity techniques. This is now generally recognized and widely accepted. Meaningful differences between open-cavity and closed-cavity techniques are recapitulated in Table 1.