Ear surgery without microscope; is it possible

Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2010 Jun;62(2):138-41. doi: 10.1007/s12070-010-0033-5. Epub 2010 Sep 24.

Abstract

Our experience of endoscope usage in otological surgery is presented. We included 17 patients with secretory otitis media for grommet insertion, 49 cases of myringoplasties and 6 cases of ossiculoplasties operated between May 2005 and 2008. All the procedures were performed through transcanal route. The success rate regarding perforation closure was 91.5% and average air-bone gap improved from 22.24-12.28 db in myringoplasty group and from 27.5-13 db in ossiculoplasty group. Secretory changes subsided in 16 out of 17 patients in secretory otitis media group. Endoscopic surgery offers many advantages over microscopic surgery which have been discussed.

Keywords: Endoscope; Microscope; Otologic surgery.