Titanium mesh for functional reconstruction of the mastoid cortex after mastoidectomy.

Objective: To describe a rapid and effective means of reconstructing the mastoid cortex after mastoidectomy for chronic otitis media with and without cholesteatoma.

Study Design: Retrospective.

Setting: Tertiary referral otology clinic.

Patients: Those undergoing tympanoplasty and mastoidectomy for chronic otitis media.

Intervention: After tympanoplasty and mastoidectomy, the mastoidectomy defect was reconstructed using titanium mesh with subsequent closure as routine.

Main Outcome Measures: Evaluation of soft-tissue ingrowth into the mastoid 12 to 24 months after surgery and clinical evaluation of the postauricular surgical site for accentuation of the postauricular sulcus.

Results: In 99 patients, the mastoidectomy defect was reconstructed using titanium mesh. None was found to have pitting of the postauricular sulcus. One patient had partial extrusion of the mesh through the ear canal. No instance of wound infection was observed. Soft-tissue growth into the mastoid cavity was found to be minimized.

Conclusion: Titanium mesh is a rapid and effective means of minimizing soft-tissue ingrowth into the mastoid and preventing accentuation of the postauricular sulcus after mastoid surgery.