Prototype Device for Mastoid Obliteration in Pediatric Cholesteatoma Patients

Cholesteatoma represents a keratinization process of the middle-ear cleft or mastoid. This disease destroys the peripheral organs for hearing and balance, with possible intracranial consequences. The management of cholesteatoma is surgical and the primary aim is to remove the disease and prevent relapse. Mastoid obliteration with reconstruction of the bony external ear canal recreates the normal anatomy to avoid such morbidity. In this paper it is presented the prototype device, developed by the authors that will be inserted in the cavity. Design parameters were determined based on measurements conducted by the medical staff during mastoidectomy operations. The requirements of biomaterials used for middle ear reconstruction such as biocompatibility, surface energy, resistance to degradation and infection, mechanical stiffness, weight, bone deposition, function-appropriate design, easy to tailor and position, imaging artifact, were all taken into account and have been evaluated accordingly.