Endoscopic tympanoplasty: Experience in Hospital del Salvador

Abstract

Introduction: The endoscopic ear surgery technique has been a great advance in the last years due to the developments in high resolution optics and surgical instruments. The use of an endoscope provides the visualization of difficult access zones in the midd- le ear, such as patients with prominent anterior wall of the external auditory canal and anterior tympanic perforations. Aim: To describe the endoscopic tympanoplasty (ET) as an alternative treatment for patients who suffer from chronic otitis media, and to analyze the functional and anato- mic outcome. Material and method: Clinical record review of patients submitted to a ET in Hospital del Salvador. Results: 14 patients were operated during October 2015 and August 2016. The average age was 45 years. All of them where submitted to a unilateral ET. 11 of 14 perforations compromised some of the anterior quadrants. In 82% of the latter the ante­rior edge of the perforation was not visible with otomicroscopy. An otomicroscopy and audiometry were performed 2 months after surgery, anatomic outcome success was of 92,8%, and PTA improved after surgery in all patients. Conclusion: The obtained results are similar to those described using microscope. ET allows improved visualization making this technique an attractive surgery and tea- ching choice. It is necessary to evaluate these results with a higher number of patients.