TER of ASB malignancy is associated with a decreased hospital stay and faster recovery when compared to open CFR. Lower local recurrence rate in the TER group may reflect a discrepancy in histology and clinical stage. We found no significant differences in survival, metastatic, or complication rates in the two groups, whereas patients in the TER group had the added benefit of a desirable cosmetic outcome. Overall, TER seems to be an excellent alternative to CFR in properly selected cases.

Alloderm can be used successfully to repair ASB defects, including large defects that are >2 cm in size with little or no morbidity.

The absence of significant differences in hearing thresholds between the EIT + DXMb group and control ears in response to 0.5 to 4 kHz tones demonstrates that DXMb is as effective as the aqueous form of dexamethasone in conserving hearing against EIT-induced loss.

No abstract

Patients undergoing TER for tumors of the ASB are more likely to leave the ICU and the hospital earlier than their CFR counterparts. Furthermore, for carefully selected patients undergoing TER, excellent oncologic outcomes with survival and recurrence rates similar to patients undergoing CFR may be achieved. Comparison of oncologic outcomes, however, may be limited by discrepancy in histologic grade and clinical stage between the two groups. Nonetheless, TER seems to be an excellent alternative to CFR in appropriately selected patients.