[Endoscopic ear surgery for traumatic ossicular disruptions]

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Auditory Reconstruction

Background:

• Endoscopic ear surgery (EES) is underutilized in otologic procedures compared to endoscopic sinus surgery.
• Traumatic ossicular disruption, often resulting from temporal bone fractures, can cause significant hearing loss.
• Evaluating the efficacy of EES in managing complex ossicular chain injuries is crucial.

Observation:

• Two cases of traumatic ossicular disruption secondary to longitudinal temporal bone fractures were analyzed.
• Case 1 involved incudostapedial joint disruption, treated with EES and incus repositioning.
• Case 2 presented with incus dislocation and stapes anterior crus fracture, managed with EES and type IV tympanoplasty.

Findings:

• EES facilitated accurate diagnosis and precise surgical correction of ossicular chain injuries.
• Postoperative hearing improved significantly in both cases, with average hearing levels reaching 18.3 dB.
• Case 2 demonstrated a minimal 1.7-dB air-bone gap, indicating successful sound conduction restoration.

Implications:

• Endoscopic ear surgery is a viable and effective treatment option for traumatic ossicular disruptions.
• EES offers a minimally invasive alternative for complex middle ear reconstructions.
• Further research into EES indications in otologic trauma may expand its clinical application.