Abstract:ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical application value of infratemporal fossa type B approach in the surgical treatment of giant petrous bone cholesteatoma.MethodsClinical data of 5 patients suffering from giant labyrinthine petrous bone cholesteatoma surgically treated in the Department of Otolaryngology, Peking Union Hospital from August 2015 to April 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. Of them, one patient had been previously treated with open radical mastoidectomy, one with subtotal petrosectomy (otic capsule preservation), and another one with subtotal petrosectomy after open radical mastoidectomy, respectively. All 5 patients underwent surgical removal of giant petrous bone cholesteatoma via infratemporal fossa type B approach.ResultsCholesteatoma was removed radically in all 5 cases. Intraoperative microscopy revealed neither residual cholesteatoma nor blind angle. In all cases, the internal carotid arteries were surrounded by cholesteatoma in varying degrees, and separated carefully along the space between cholesteatoma matrix and internal carotid artery wall. All patients had been followed up by MR+DWI for 12 to 30 months postoperatively without recurrence of cholesteatoma. Postoperative profound hearing loss occurred in the operative ears of all the patients. The facial nerve function was HouseBrackmann (HB) grade II in one patient whose facial nerve was preserved completely. In 2 patients with hypoglossalfacial nerve anastomosis, the facial nerve function one year after surgery was HB grade III and IV respectively. All patients had normal diet one month after.ConclusionsGiant labyrinthine petrous bone cholesteatoma can be removed safely and completely via infratemporal fossa type B approach without no serious complications. Failures of repeated previous surgeries may affect the preservation and reconstruction of related functions.