Removal of a cholesteatoma in the middle ear

(A) Canal incisions for a middle ear exploration to remove a congenital cholesteatoma.
(B) The ear canal and superior one-half of the drum are turned down as a flap to expose the cholesteatoma beneath the malleus; usually, the drum is left attached to the end of the malleus.
(C) The cholesteatoma is detached from its mucosal connections and delivered intact. The drum is then returned to its normal anatomic position.