ATRESIA OF THE EXTERNAL AUDITORY CANAL OCCURRING IN MILITARY SERVICE: A Report on the Correction of This Condition in Ten Cases

Abstract

This article is only available in the PDF format. Download the PDF to view the article, as well as its associated figures and tables. THE WAR with its associated violence presented the otorhinolaryngologist with many new entities and unique problems. One of these entities, which is relatively uncommon in civilian practice but not too rare in military service, is atresia of the external auditory canal secondary to gunshot wound. The steel helmet only partially protects the ear even under ideal conditions. In the confusion of battle this protection is further diminished by angulation or loss of the helmet in maneuvering over obstacles. In general, the ear receives considerable protection from descending missiles, but objects of force traveling from any side angle or upward may seriously injure the ear. This type of injury usually includes one or more of the organs adjacent to the area of the ear. The anatomic structure of the external auditory canal responds poorly to this type of trauma and places a handicap on the surgeon. The external canal is approximately