Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Endaural Endoscopic Atticoantrotomy (Retrograde Mastoidectomy) using a Constant Suction Bone-drilling Technique
Published on: May 23, 2021
Otologic surgery following ear trauma
J Matthew Conoyer1, David M Kaylie, C Gary Jackson
1Otology Group of Vanderbilt, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA. matthew.conoyer@vanderbilt.edu
Objectives:
To investigate common presentations and expected outcomes in patients with traumatically induced otologic dysfunction.
Study Design:
Retrospective case review of patients who underwent otologic surgery for sequelae of otologic trauma over a 28-year period. Patients were stratified into major and minor trauma cohorts. Major trauma was designated as closed head injury with or without temporal bone fracture; lower-energy insults comprised the minor trauma group. Preoperative and postoperative audiograms were obtained and correlated with extent of injury.
Setting:
Tertiary referral center.
Results:
Major trauma accounted for 44.9 percent of all patients. The remaining 55.1 percent suffered minor trauma, of which simple traumatic tympanic membrane perforation was the most common insult (33.6%). Two hundred twenty-seven cases were performed on 214 patients. Pure tone averages improved a significant 20.8 dB to essentially normal levels postoperatively.
Conclusion:
Regardless of injury extent, surgical rehabilitation of conductive losses attains excellent hearing results that surpass those historically reported for the chronic ear population.

