A long term follow up of conchal flap meatoplasty in chronic otitis externa

A long-standing diffuse chronic otitis externa can lead to itching. Resultant scratching may then lead to irreversible skin changes with canal stenosis by scar tissue. The poor ventilation and increased humidity gives rise to bacterial and fungal growths leading to breakdown of the skin defences and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of laryngology and otology 2007-01, Vol.121 (1), p.1-4
Main Authors: Kumar, P Jayanth, Smelt, G J C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Chronic Disease
Ear Canal
Ear Canal - surgery
Ear Cartilage - surgery
Ear, auditive nerve, cochleovestibular tract, facial nerve: diseases, semeiology
Ear, External - surgery
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Main Articles
Medical sciences
Non tumoral diseases
Otitis Externa
Otitis Externa - surgery
Otologic Surgical Procedures
Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology
Surgical Flaps
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Description
Summary:A long-standing diffuse chronic otitis externa can lead to itching. Resultant scratching may then lead to irreversible skin changes with canal stenosis by scar tissue. The poor ventilation and increased humidity gives rise to bacterial and fungal growths leading to breakdown of the skin defences and worsening itching. This vicious itching–scratch cycle or downward spiral often fails to respond to medical treatment. For these cases a simple conchal flap meatoplasty may improve ventilation of the external auditory canal and may lead to a self cleaning ear. We reviewed 84 patients who had undergone conchal flap meatoplasty in Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust Hospitals from April 1993 to June 2002. A long-term follow up of conchal flap meatoplasty in chronic otitis externa showed no records of complications or further otitis in 93.2 per cent of cases. Thus surgical intervention plays an important role in the treatment of otitis externa not responding to treatment.
ISSN:0022-2151
1748-5460
DOI:10.1017/S0022215106003574