A patient with unsafe chronic suppurative otitis media undergoes mastoid surgery. The surgeon removes the posterior canal wall, all mastoid air cells, the remnant tympanic membrane, and the malleus and incus, leaving only the mobile stapes in continuity with a skin-lined cavity. Which procedure was performed?

• A Modified radical mastoidectomy
• B Canal wall up mastoidectomy
• C Cortical mastoidectomy
• D Radical mastoidectomy ✓

Explanation

Radical mastoidectomy removes the posterior canal wall along with the tympanic membrane remnant and both malleus and incus, exteriorizing the middle ear into the cavity while preserving only a functioning stapes if present. Modified radical mastoidectomy retains the tympanic membrane remnant and intact ossicular chain to preserve hearing, which is the single feature that distinguishes it from the radical operation.

Reference: Scott-Brown's Essential Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.