In this study, 619 patients underwent radical mastoidectomy from 1985 to 1996 were followed up. There are 48 cases with cholesteatoma remnants, of which, 31 cases in middle tympanic cavity, 14 cases in superior tympaine cavity, 3 cases in mastoid process. The rate of recurrence was higher in adults than in children. It has been suggested that age, character of cholesteatoma, operation and, the fissure existing in mastoid process play a role in recurrence of cholesteatoma after radical mastoidectomy in chronic otitis medica.