Recurrence in cholesteatoma surgery: what have we learnt and where are we going? A narrative review

Treatment of cholesteatoma is surgical and has historically encompassed two main techniques: canal wall up (CWU) and canal wall down (CWD) tympanoplasty. Follow-up for cholesteatoma is still debated and can be either radiological or with second-look surgery. MRI with diffusion weighted sequences has proved to have high sensitivity and specificity in detecting recurrent or residual disease. Specifically, non-echo planar imaging DWI (non-EPI DWI) has been shown to be superior to other imaging techniques, allowing, in some cases, to avoid second-look surgery. Both residual and recurrence rates are higher in CWU compared to CWD procedures. Endoscopic ear surgery (EES) has become popular with the advantage of “looking around corners”. The endoscope is used in addition to a microscope or exclusively to reduce cholesteatoma recurrence. In addition, it has been demonstrated that mastoid obliteration and the use of potassium titanyl phosphate laser (KTP) can reduce cholesteatoma recurrence, with better functional outcomes. A synthetic sulphur compound (MESNA) may have an interesting role in the overall improvement in recurrence and residual cholesteatoma disease. This narrative review critically appraises the factors associated with the risk of recurrent cholesteatoma.