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Учебники / Middle Ear Surgery

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Contents

XI

 

 

 

15 Mastoid Cavity

 

 

H. Sudhoff, H. Hildmann . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . 73

 

Indications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . 73

 

Definition of Open and Closed Techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . 73

 

Open Cavity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . 75

 

Surgical Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . 76

 

Reduction of Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . 80

 

Meatoplasty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . 81

 

Closed Techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . 81

 

Intact Canal Wall Technique . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . 81

 

Surgical Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . 82

 

Obliteration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . 88

 

Reconstruction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . 91

 

Fistulas of the Semicircular Canals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . 92

 

Packing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . 93

 

16 Specific Infections

 

 

H. Sudhoff, H. Hildmann . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . 94

 

17 Complications

 

 

J. Lautermann, H. Sudhoff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . 95

 

Labyrinthitis and Facial Palsy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . 95

 

Extradural Complications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . 96

 

Intracranial Complications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . 97

 

18 Tympanosclerosis

 

 

H. Sudhoff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . 98

 

19 The Atelectatic Ear

H. Hildmann . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

20 Revision Surgery

H. Hildmann, H. Sudhoff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Early Revisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Late Revisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Special Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

21 Facial Nerve Surgery

O. Guntinas-Lichius, H. Sudhoff, H. Hildmann . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Indications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Facial Nerve Palsy After Temporal Bone Fracture and Other Traumas . . . 105 Approaches for Facial Nerve Exploration and Decompression . . . . . . . . . 106 Techniques of Facial Nerve Reconstruction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 Iatrogenic Lesions During Ear Surgery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 Postoperative Complete Palsy After Ear Surgery in Patients with Normal

Preoperative Facial Nerve Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110

XII Contents

Facial Nerve Palsy in Patients with Chronic Inflammatory Disease . . . . . 110 Postoperative Adjuvant Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

22 Stapes Surgery

H. Sudhoff, H. Hildmann . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112

Floating Footplate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

Abnormal Course of the Facial Nerve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118

Malleovestibulopexy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118

23 Laser Stapedotomy

S. Jovanovic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 Laser Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120

CO2 Laser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 Micromanipulator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

Scanner System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 Safe and Effective Energy Parameters for CO2 Laser Stapedotomy . . . . . . 121 Surgical Technique of CO2 Laser Stapedotomy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 Special Cases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 Obliterative Otosclerosis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 Overhanging Facial Nerve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 Overhanging Promontory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 Inaccessible Footplate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 Floating Footplate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 Problems in Revision Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 Surgical Technique of CO2 Laser Revision Stapedotomy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 Conclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129

24 Stapes Revision Surgery

S. Dazert, H. Hildmann . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 Early Revisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 Late Revisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 Displacement of the Prosthesis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 Complete Destruction of the Incus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 Reclosure of the Oval Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 Fixation of Incus or Malleus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 Schuknecht’s Prosthesis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 Perilymphatic Fistula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 Vertigo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

25 Middle Ear Trauma

H. Hildmann, H. Sudhoff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134

Traumatic Tympanic Membrane Perforation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134

Ossicular Chain Trauma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134

Perilymph Fistula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135

Contents XIII

Rupture of the Round Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 Traumatic Stenosis or Atresia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 Fractures of the Temporal Bone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135

26 Endolymphatic Sac Surgery

H. Sudhoff, H. Hildmann . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137

Surgical Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138

Anatomical Position of the Endolymphatic Sac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138

27 Malformation Surgery

H. Hildmann . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140

Surgery of Middle Ear Malformations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140

Minor Malformations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140

Small Tympanic Membrane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

Chain Reconstruction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

Major Malformations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142

Timing of Diagnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142

Surgical Steps and Landmarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

28 Cochlear Implantation

S. Dazert, H. Sudhoff, H. Hildmann . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146 Surgical Approach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146 Raising of the Flaps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146

Preparation of the Implant Bed for the Receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148

Mastoid Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148 Posterior Tympanotomy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148 Cochleostomy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 Placement of the Receiver and Electrode Insertion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 Closure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152

Mastoiditis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152

29 Revision Surgery After Cochlear Implantation

J. Müller, H. Sudhoff, H. Hildmann . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153 Revision Surgery Can Become Necessary for Several Reasons . . . . . . . . . . 153 Medical Reasons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153 Electronic Failures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153 Trauma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153 Electrode Failures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153 Soft Failures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154

30 Labyrinthectomy

H. Hildmann . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156

Definition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156

Indications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156

Surgical Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156

XIV Contents

31 Vestibular Neurectomy – Translabyrinthine Approach

H. Hildmann . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158

Indications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158

Contraindications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158

Surgical Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158

32 Vestibular Neurectomy – Transtemporal Approach

H. Hildmann . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162

Indications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162

Contraindications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162

Complications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162

Anatomy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162

Surgical Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162

33 Retrosigmoidal Approach

M. Scholz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167 Surgical Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167 Positioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167 Skin Incision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170

Preparation of Subcutaneous Tissue and Nuchal Muscles . . . . . . . . . . . . 170

Trephination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171 Fine Work with the Drill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Withdrawal of Cerebrospinal Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Opening of the Dura . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Intracranial Part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Closing Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174

34 Otological Instruments

J. Lautermann, H. Sudhoff, H. Hildmann . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175

Special Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175

Operating Room Arrangement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175

Suggested Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

181

References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

182

Subject Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

189

Contributors

Prof. Dr. med. Manuel Bernal-Sprekelsen

Servicio de Otorrinolaringolog´ıa, Hospital Clinic, Villarroel, 170 08036 Barcelona, Spain

Prof. Dr. med. Stefan Dazert

Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Klinik der Ruhr-Universität Bochum

St. Elisabeth-Hospital, Bleichstr. 15, D-44787 Bochum, Germany

PD Dr. med. Orlando Guntinas-Lichius

Universitätsklinik und Poliklinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde-, Kopfund Hals-Chirurgie sowie plast. rekonstr. Kopf-Hals-Operationen Kerpener Str. 62, D-50937 Köln, Germany

Dr. med. Andre Gurr

Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Klinik der Ruhr-Universität Bochum

St. Elisabeth-Hospital, Bleichstr. 15, D-44787 Bochum, Germany

Prof. Dr. med. Sergije Jovanovic

Universitätsklinikum Benjamin Franklin, Hals-Nasen-Ohrenklinik mit Polikliniken, Hindenburgdamm 30, D-12200 Berlin, Germany

PD Dr. med. Jürgen Lautermann

Hals-Nasen-Ohrenklinik und Poliklinik, Universitätsklinikum Essen Hufelandstr. 55, D-45122 Essen, Germany

PD Dr. med. Joachim Müller

Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasenund Ohrenkranke der Universität Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 11, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany

Prof. Dr. med. Alexander Rauchfuss

Caritas-Kliniken St. Theresia Rastpfuhl, Klinik für HNO-Heilkunde Kopfund Hals-Chirurgie, Plast. Operationen, Phoniatrie/Pädaudiologie Rheinstr. 2, D-66113 Saarbrücken, Germany

PD Dr. med. Martin Scholz

Neurochirurgische Klinik des Knappschafts-Krankenhauses Bochum-Langendreer, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, In der Schornau 23 – 25 D-44892 Bochum, Germany

Matthew Yung, MD, PhD, FRCS

Ear, Nose and Throat Department, Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust, Heath Road Ipswich, Suffolk, IP5 4PD, UK

Chapter 1

1

 

 

1 Surgical Anatomy

Alexander Rauchfuss

The temporal bone presents a very complex anatomy. Therefore this overview is restricted to some major points from the viewpoint of surgical anatomy. For more detailed information see “Suggested Reading”.

The temporal bone according to its developmental anatomy is divisible into four parts: the squamous, mastoid, petrous, and tympanic portions. Points of topographical reference on the lateral surface are the external acoustic meatus with its suprameatal spine, the temporal line, and the mastoid process.

The base of the zygoma extends as a crest posteriorly and slightly upward, forming the supramastoid crest or temporal line. The temporal line as a landmark corresponds to the base of the medial cranial fossa/tegmen tympani, which in most cases of surgery can easily be identified. In combination with the radiological anatomy in a Schüller view it allows adequate planning of the surgical approach to the antrum via the mastoid.

All figures show the anatomy of a left ear.

2 1 Surgical Anatomy

Figs. 1.1 – 1.5. Temporal bone and sigmoid sinus

Fig. 1.1. Temporal bone. The degree of pneumatization is inconstant. The extent and arrangement of air cells varies considerably from a minimal air cell system in the surroundings of the antrum to involvement of most of the temporal bone. Pneumatization usually begins in late fetal life, progressing until the end of childhood. The pneumatization process starts from the antrum. In most cases one can describe the topography of the cells as follows: periantral, sinodural, perisinual, perifacial and mastoid tip cells. According to the extension of the cells, there is only one rule: the further from the antrum, the bigger the cells

Fig. 1.2. Schüller view of the left ear. The bony shell of the sigmoid sinus, the base of the middle cranial fossa/tegmen tympani, and the external auditory canal can easily be identified

Fig. 1.3. The temporal line, the position of the sigmoid sinus as identified in the Schüller view, and the margin of the posterior wall of the external auditory canal form a triangle which represents a safe approach to the antrum via the mastoid (......). The sigmoid sulcus housing the sigmoid sinus is a deep groove on the medial surface of the mastoid. Following the ancient Greek anatomical terminology, the sigmoid sulcus describes an S-shaped figure, curving from the transverse sinus downward, terminating in the bulb of the internal jugular vein

Fig. 1.4. A prominent suprameatal spine is an indicator of normal topography of the sigmoid sinus in most cases. The superior petrosal sulcus is a dual venous channel along the superior angle of the pyramid ending in the transverse sinus. The inferior petrosal sulcus follows the posterior angle and ends in the jugular bulb. The jugular fossa is situated on the inferior surface of the temporal bone posteromedial to the carotid foramen. During surgery one should always be aware that the fossa jugularis sometimes is separated from the posterior cranial fossa by only a thin plate of bone. When the roof of the fossa is dehiscent, the bulbous vein protrudes into the tympanic cavity covered with nothing more substantial than the middle ear mucosa

Fig. 1.5. In the case of a narrow or absent suprameatal spine one should be aware of a protruding sigmoid sinus

1 Surgical Anatomy

3

 

 

Fig. 1.1

fissura tympanomastoidea

Fig. 1.2

Fig. 1.3

Fig. 1.5

Fig. 1.4

4 1 Surgical Anatomy

Figs. 1.6 – 1.7. The antrum and the topography of the posterior approach to the middle ear

Fig. 1.6. The antrum is an aperture in the upper part of the posterior wall of the epitympanic recess, positioned above, behind, and lateral to the tympanic cavity. It varies exceedingly in size. The lumen and the extent of the antrum into the mastoid depend on the individual’s age. In the newborn it is almost cranial to the external auditory canal. During the process of aging and pneumatization it exfoliates stepwise into the mastoid

Fig. 1.7. Sketch of the mastoid topography

newborn infant

twelve years old

Fig. 1.6

posterior semicircular canal

digastric ridge

Fig. 1.7

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Figs. 1.8 – 1.10. Stepwise exposure of the middle ear via the posterior approach

Fig. 1.8. Identification of the short process of the incus in the antrum just over the bony coverage of the lateral semicircular canal. The digastric ridge can be helpful as a landmark and a guideline for identification of the facial nerve in cases of difficult topography

Fig. 1.9. Posterior approach to the middle ear. The buttress (“Brücke” in the

German surgical literature) is still intact

Fig. 1.10. The buttress is removed and part of the bony coverage of the facial canal is taken away. The posterior tympanic artery, which lies in close contact with the nerval sheath, is a reliable landmark with which to identify the facial nerve

Fig. 1.8

Fig. 1.9

Fig. 1.10