The effect of post-auricular canal wall down mastoidectomy on the position of the auricle

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to investigate the effect of surgical incision on the auricle position in patients undergoing canal wall down mastoidectomy to treat chronic otitis media. Methods Thirty-four patients who had undergone canal wall down mastoidectomy with a post-auricular incision approach were included in the study. Patients who had a previous auricle deformity, who underwent limited mastoidectomy surgery or mastoid obliteration, or who were younger than 18 years of age were excluded. The distances of the upper and middle parts of the auricle to the mastoid were measured. Results Measurements in the first post-operative year were found to be 13.15 ± 3.59 mm in the upper region and 16.29 ± 5.00 mm in the middle region. It was observed that the auricle was approaching the mastoid area in both regions. Conclusion In patients undergoing radical mastoidectomy, the distance between the auricle and the mastoid may decrease, leading to narrowing of the auriculo-cephalic angle.