The authors have studied 11 series of results following cholesteatoma surgery by closed or open technique. The closed technique was performed in 77%. The notion of surgical revision is not accepted by all surgeons; it is practised with an average of 59% for the whole series. Residual cholesteatoma and/or recurrences are observed in 34% of the cases of which 20% have been discovered at the time of revision surgery. Surgical revision appears mandatory to the authors.
Gersdorff, M., & Vilain, J. (1990). Long-term results of various surgical treatments for cholesteatoma. Acta Oto-Rhino-Laryngologica Belgica, 44(4), 393-398. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/137915 (Original work published 1990)