Total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy in cats – review

Abstract

Total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy is a surgical procedure indicated for the treatment of chronic otitis externa and otitis media, aural polyps and neoplasia of external auditory canal in cats. Because of its complexity, there is potential risk of various surgical complications such as persistence or recurrence of infection, facial nerve damage, Horner’s syndrome, inner ear damage, auditory function impairment and poor ear carriage. Nonetheless, excellent results can be obtained by means of precise and meticulous surgical skills. Special attention should also be given to postoperative pain management due to the deep dissection in this kind of surgery. The aim of this review is to describe these feline ear diseases and the surgical technique of total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy.