Experience with cholesteatoma behind an intact tympanic membrane in children.

Introduction: To systematically investigate all surgeries for cholesteatoma behind an intact tympanic membrane at our department. To identify predictive factors that can help the surgeon to plan surgery, surgical techniques, and follow-up treatment.

Material And Methods: This retrospective study evaluates 21 child patients, who were operated in the period 2007-2017 on for cholesteatoma behind an intact tympanic membrane.

Results: A total of 202 primary operations were performed for cholesteatoma. In 21 cases (10,4%) there was a cholesteatoma behind an intact tympanic membrane and in 11 (5,45%) cases of it there was the congenital cholesteatoma. The most frequently affected area was the anterior-superior quadrant. The preoperative hearing loss increased significantly with disease severity (I-IV by Potsic).

Conclusions: The classification system according to Potsic is sufficient and fully corresponds to the surgeon's needs. It has been clearly shown that a higher CC stage is associated with worse postoperative hearing results.