AB084. 63. The frontier in endoscopic ear surgery: local vs. international experience in its evolution

Background: The Introduction of the rigid endoscope to operative Otology constitutes a major step forward. At our institution endoscopes are regularly employed for grommet placement, tympanoplasty, mastoidectomy, ossiculoplasty and middle ear explorations. Internationally, the endoscope has been employed not only in the middle ear but also in neurotology and lateral skull base surgery.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was undertaken of all patients undergoing endoscopic ear surgery at a single center.

Results: 82 patients had 87 endoscopic ear procedures in our center. These procedures included 6 atticotomies, 28 grommet insertions, 24 tympanoplasties, 7 mastoidectomies, and 22 other. The tympanoplasty closure rate was 92% which compares favorably with our microscopic rate of 94%.

Conclusions: Endoscopic ear surgery is a field in evolution with some centers advancing so far as to perform complex minimally invasive lateral skull base resections. With advancements in technology including Piezo-electric dissection and miniaturization of endoscopes, endoscopic surgery of the ear has become a promising new wave in otology. The authors would like to conclude by paying tribute to the recently departed Dr. David Pothier. Dr. Pothier’s extensive work helped expand the field of endoscopic otology and included training the senior author.

Keywords: Endoscopic otology tympanoplasty; minimally invasive; mastoidectomy