Endoscopic Tympanoplasty

Sohn, Soo Joon; Park, Chan Min; Choe, Se Ho; Choi, Yoon Seok; Kwon, Seong Woo

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Modern endoscopes provide a direct access into the hidden recesses of the middle ear using a minimally invasive approach. The authors employed endoscopes in a transcanal tympanoplasty and analyzed the results for the further application of these endoscopic procedures to various otologic surgeries. MATERIALS AND METHOD: 15 ears with chronic otitis media and 2 ears with congenital cholesteatoma were operated under local anesthesia using 2.7 mm and 4 mm rigid endoscopes, a camera, and a monitor.
RESULTS
The structures in the posterior tympanum were directly visualized with 0 endoscope in all cases without removal of the overlying bone. The attic was visualized with 70 endoscope after removal of the incus. 15 tympanoplasties were performed in 14 cases of chronic otitis media and in 1 congenital cholesteatoma. Staged tympanoplasties were performed for the other 2 cases. The intraoperative aid postoperative courses were uneventful in all cases. All cases showed closure of' the perforation and 15 cases showed favorable hearing results postoperatively.
CONCLUSION
The endoscopes directly visualized the structures in the posterior tympanum and the transcanal endoscopic tympanoplasties showed closure of the perforation and favorable hearing results postoperatively. With the employment of these endoscopes, minimally invasive otologic surgeries will be possible on the ears with narrow canal, adhesive otitis, ossicular abnormalities, and other abnormalities.