A review of 349 patients with cholesteatoma operated between 1980 and 1995 was done. Of 349 patients, 272 cases had documented follow-up for 1 year or longer and were included in the study which consists of the incidence of residual and recurrent cholesteatoma. The most appropriate surgical technique was performed for each individual case. The surgical techniques were placed in two groups. Open cavity technique: 120 radical mastoidectomy, 26 modified radical mastoidectomy; closed technique: 113 intact canal wall tympanoplasty with mastoidectomy, 13 planned two stage procedure. Recurrence rates were 7.5% with open technique and 11.1% with closed technique. Residive rates were 9.6% with open technique and 5.5% with closed technique. Total failure rate was 17% with open technique and 16.6% with closed technique. The mean follow-up period was 30 months. In our series, there was no significant difference in the incidence and total failure rate of recurrent and residual cholesteatoma between open cavity and closed cavity techniques (p> 0.05).