Comparison of endoscopic transcanal and microscopic approach in Type 1 tympanoplasty

Endoscopic tympanoplasty is a minimally invasive surgery that may be performed via a solely transcanal approach. The use of endoscopes in otologic procedures has been increasing worldwide. The endoscopic approach facilitates the transcanal tympanoplasty, even in patients having the narrow external ear canal with an anterior wall protrusion.

The present study aimed to compare the surgical and audiological outcomes of endoscopic transcanal and conventional microscopic approach in Type 1 tympanoplasty.

The graft success rates, hearing outcomes, complications, and duration of surgery in patients who underwent endoscopic and microscopic tympanoplasty between October 2015 and April 2018 were retrospectively analysed.

Graft success rates were 94.8 per cent and 92.9 per cent for the endoscopic and microscopic group, respectively (p >  0.05). Postoperative air-bone gap values were improved significantly in both groups (p <  0.001). The average duration of surgery was significantly shorter in the endoscopic group (mean 34.9 min) relative to the microscopic group (mean 52.7 min) (p <  0.05). The average hospitalization period was 5.2 h (range 3-6 h) in Group I whereas it was 26.1 h (range 18-36 h) in Group II (p <  0.05).

The endoscopic transcanal tympanoplasty approach is a reasonable alternative to conventional microscopic tympanoplasty in the treatment of chronic otitis media, with comparable graft success rates and hearing outcomes.