Canal Wall Down Tympanomastoidectomy and Management of the Difficult Cavity

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Canal wall down tympanomastoidectomy remains an important procedure for the management of advanced cholesteatomas and recalcitrant suppurative chronic otitis media. This course will discuss the indications for CWD surgery as well as delve into technical aspects of the procedure. Techniques to create a “good cavity” will be demonstrated with case presentations and surgical videos. Mechanisms to minimize the extent of the cavity including mastoid obliteration techniques will be also be examined. Unfortunately, despite all of these efforts, some canal wall down cavities are prone to chronic infection, leading to significant chronic drainage for patients. Factors that can lead to a “difficult” cavity will be explored. A treatment algorithm for the “difficult cavity” will be defined and both medical and surgical options will be discussed. Audience participation and case based discussion will be utilized in this interactive session.