Bioactive glass (S53P4) as obliteration material in subtotal petrosectomy: initial experience.

Background: Subtotal petrosectomy for chronic suppurative otitis media requires obliteration of the mastoid cavity and middle ear. Usually, abdominal fat is used for this purpose. However, infection is a risk of using fat, which might require revision surgery. The use of S53P4 bioactive glass with antibacterial properties seems an attractive alternative.

Methods: Two patients with a history of chronic suppurative otitis media, complicated by profound perceptive hearing loss, had already been surgically treated, and were thereafter extensively treated conservatively. Because of recurrent chronic otorrhoea and pain, subtotal petrosectomy with obliteration of the cavity with S53P4 bioactive glass was performed.

Results: Follow-up duration was 84 months and 18 months, respectively. No complications occurred peri-operatively. A dry ear was obtained and no late adverse events were observed.

Conclusion: S53P4 bioactive glass is feasible to use for obliteration after subtotal petrosectomy. Elimination of chronic suppurative otitis media can be achieved with this technique. The bioactive glass granules might be an attractive alternative to abdominal fat, which has a risk of infection.