RADICAL MASTOIDECTOMY WITH PRIMARY SPLIT-THICKNESS SKIN GRAFTING: Survey of Fifty Cases

Abstract

THIS SURVEY of 50 consecutive radical mastoidectomies is presented (1) to reveal certain features of the symptomatology and pathology connected with these chronic ear infections, (2) to emphasize certain parts of the skin-grafting technique, and (3) to present data on the healing time and the results obtained, with emphasis on the hearing before and after operation. Radical operations on these patients were performed only after careful consideration had been given to the possibilities of eliminating the pathology by some modified radical procedure. In several instances operations were started with a modified procedure planned only to discover pathology of a nature that required the more radical operation. SYMPTOMATOLOGY All 50 patients gave a history of longstanding pus discharge from the ear. Some patients had had the discharge for 40 years or more, and the persistent drainage, often with a foul odor, was usually the chief complaint. In many the hearing had