Congenital aural atresia

Congenital aural atresia is a spectrum of ear deformities present at birth that involves some degree of failure of the development of the external auditory canal. … Congenital aural atresia is considered one of the most difficult and challenging surgeries for the otologic surgeon.

Thangavel et al. reported an adolescent with mental retardation who had congenital aural atresia with contralateral congenital facial palsy. She developed multiple intracranial complications (cerebellar abscess and lateral sinus thrombosis) due to cholesteatoma. They managed her in a multidisciplinary approach. This report discusses case management, emphasizing the meticulous intraoperative steps taken in identifying the landmarks and precautions adopted to avoid postoperative facial palsy and other complications ¹⁾.