The Journal of Laryngology & Otology

Table of Contents - June 1991 - Volume 105, Issue 06  

Main Articles

Mastoid surgery at the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital 1986–1988

C. A. J. Prescotta1 c1 and J. F. Malana1

a1 Department of Otolaryngology, University of Cape Town Medical School and The Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital.

Abstract

Eighty-three children between ages 0–12 years had mastoid surgery in the three year period 1986–88. The indications were acute mastoiditis (30 children), uncontrolled chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) (24 children), cholesteatoma (22 children) and a miscellaneous group (7 children). Forty-seven per cent of those with acute mastoiditis were under one year but the 27 per cent with cholesteatoma as the precipitating cause were 4–12 years. Twenty-three per cent had significant complications. Typmano-mastoid surgery was employed to resolve uncontrolled CSOM. Children were between 2–12 years and 62 per cent were below the 25th centile for weight. Seventy-nine per cent of the tympanic membrane grafts were successful. The children with cholesteatoma were between 3–12 years and 76 per cent were below the 25th centile for weight. Eight of them only presented after the onset of acute mastoiditis. One child had a definite congenital cholesteatoma. Only one had a pars flaccida origin of the cholesteatoma sac and only eight an origin from the postero-superior pars tensa. All had open cavity surgery. When the cavity was lined by temporalis fascia, healing was improved markedly.

(Accepted February 13 1991)

Key words

Correspondence:

c1 Dr C. A. J. Prescott, ENT Department, The Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, Klipfontein Road, Rondebosch, 7700, Cape Town.

Footnotes

Cape Town, South Africa

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