並列摘要
Most otologists have employed mastoid dressings routinely following middle ear procedures through postauricular incisions in order to provide wound dressings and to prevent complications. In this study, we found that there was no increase in wound complications in the patients without mastoid dressing (1/77) as compared to those with mastoid dressings (5/128). All patients had postauricular incisions. Also, according to our experiment by measuring with a balloon catheter and pressure gauge, the pressure exerted by the mastoid dressing was widely variable. A high pressure dressing might damage the normal tissue. We would conclude that using a piece of gauze to cover the wound, instead of a mastoid dressing, might serve as a simple and effective dressing method following middle ear surgery.