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Updated: Nov 4, 2025
Endoscopic Cholesteatoma Surgery
Published on: January 19, 2022
Totally endoscopic tympanic membrane repair
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. adr.james@utoronto.ca.
Background:
Transcanal totally endoscopic ear surgery (TEES) has become increasingly popular internationally; however, for surgeons trained with a two-handed microscope-guided approach, the potential challenges of adopting TEES can appear off-putting.
Objectives:
This article outlines the pros and cons of TEES for tympanic membrane repair and describes aspects of surgical technique relevant to those who might adopt this approach.
Materials And Methods:
Data are provided from the author's experience along with a review of relevant literature, including several meta-analyses of tympanoplasty outcome.
Results:
Meta-analyses show that TEES tympanoplasty is as effective at closing tympanic membrane perforations and improving hearing as microscope-guided surgery. Yet patients benefit from avoidance of a skin incision and faster recovery.
Conclusion:
Repair of the tympanic membrane with TEES is feasible and effective. This minimally invasive approach is very appealing to patients.
