How we do it: the Farrior‐Olaizola mastoidectomy technique in the management of squamous chronic otitis media

Keypoints • In the Farrior‐Olaizola mastoidectomy the connection between the antrum and attic is closed with a cartilage plate –‘the antrum exclusion and attic elimination on demand technique’. This prevents future tympanic membrane retraction and recurrent disease. • It is a suitable treatment for most cases of cholesteatoma, including children. • As a canal wall up technique residual disease occurred in 18% of adults and 22% of children in our series. These have been discrete encapsulated epithelial pearls easily removed at the second look stage. • Recurrent disease was uncommon (3.5%).