Complication of Canal Wall Down Mastoidectomy

Abstract

This study reviewed 299 patients who underwent canal wall down mastoidectomy between April 1997 to
April 2000 in the Department of Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT), Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital,
Maharajgunj, Kathmandu. Sixty four patients had complications of chronic suppurative otitis media
atticoantral type and five patients did not come for follow up. Out of remaining 230 patients, modified
radical mastoidectomy was the commonest type of mastoid surgery which was done in 202 (87.83%)
patients. Two hundred twenty four (96.39%) patients had a dry cavity. Nine (3.91%) patients developed
wound infection, the commonest postoperative complication seen. Although 6 (2.61%) patients developed
facial nerve paresis/paralysis, 5 (2.18%) patients had total recovery of the facial nerve function and only
one patient had persistent facial nerve palsy. Intracranial complications were seen in 3 (1.30% ) patients
and recurrence of disease in 2 (0.87%) patients. One patient died of septicemia. Proper aseptic precaution
during and after surgery and adequate knowledge of surgical landmarks is necessary to reduce
complications of surgery.