Evaluating the role of otoendoscope in cholesteatoma surgery

Abstract

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Endoscope assisted ear surgery (EAES) reduces the chances of residual cholesteatomas as compared to the conventional microscopic technique, primarily because of the direct visualization of sites where residual cholesteatoma is common, which is often missed out during the traditional microscopic surgical procedure. The aim of the study was to evaluate the hidden areas of middle ear using endoscopes during the conventional microscopic cholesteatoma surgery.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> The present prospective study was carried out in the Dept. of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, Katra, Jammu for a period of one year during which a total of 20 patients of acquired cholesteatoma who underwent conventional microscopic surgery were followed by oto-endoscope assisted examination were enrolled. </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Otoendoscope was used in all the surgeries to look for residual cholesteatoma in the hidden areas like protympanum, sinus tympani and anterior attic. An overall incidence of cholesteatoma observed and removed from hidden areas using otoendoscope was recorded to be 30% in the present study.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Microscopic ear surgery assisted with oto-endoscope allows a better visualization of the extent of cholesteatoma and thus improved eradication of residual/recurrent disease from the hidden areas of middle ear such as facial recess, sinus tympani, anterior epitympanic space, protympanum and hypotympanum.</p>