Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
Volume 138, Issue 5 p. 672-678
Original Research—Otology and Neurotology

External auditory exostoses: Evaluation and treatment

John W. House MD, 

John W. House MD

House Clinic and House Ear Institute, 2100 West Third Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90057

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Eric P. Wilkinson MD, 

Corresponding Author

Eric P. Wilkinson MD

House Clinic and House Ear Institute, 2100 West Third Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90057

Corresponding author: Eric P. Wilkinson, MD, 2100 West Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90057. E-mail address: [email protected].Search for more papers by this author
First published: 01 May 2008
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.otohns.2008.01.023
Citations: 1

Abstract

Objective

To determine (1) if external auditory exostosis (EAE) severity in a surgical exostosis population differs between ears and (2) the incidence of complications from postauricular canalplasty for EAE.

Study Design

A retrospective review.

Subjects and Methods

Three hundred twenty-seven patients (401 ears) underwent drill canalplasty for EAE from 1990 to 2006. EAE severity was graded, and air and bone thresholds were used to evaluate hearing changes.

Results

There were no significant differences in surgery rate or severity between right and left ears (71% grade 3 in both ears), with 95 percent grade 3 in operated ears. Prolonged healing occurred in 4.5 percent, with 1 TM perforation (0.2%). Sensorineural hearing at 4 kHz worsened slightly (mean change = 3.7 dB, P ≤ 0.001), with 4.8 percent worsening > 15 dB (maximum 30 dB), but sensorineural bone average was unchanged (mean = 0.2 dB). EAE recurred in 8 of 91 ears with long-term follow-up, occurring up to 15 years postsurgery.

Conclusions

EAE severity in surgical patients does not differ between right and left ears. Drill canalplasty via the postauricular approach minimizes complications.