Mean Air Conduction Research Articles

Hearing Outcome of Type 1 Tympanoplasty with Cartilage-Perichondrium Graft in comparison with Temporalis Fascia Graft

Background: Chronic otitis media (COM) is characterized by recurrent ear discharge and hearing loss secondary to tympanic membrane perforation. Type 1 tympanoplasty is the reconstruction of a perforated tympanic membrane with an intact and mobile ossicular chain. Among various autologous graft materials, temporalis fascia and tragal cartilage are commonly used. Objectives: The study determined to compare the hearing outcomes between tragal cartilage-perichondrium graft and temporalis fascia graft in type 1 tympanoplasty. Methodology: A quasi-experimental study included 60 cases of inactive chronic otitis media which was carried out in a tertiary care center. They were allocated into two groups of 30 patients each and were subjected to tympanoplasty using either tragal cartilage-perichondrium (group A) or temporalis fascia graft (group B) from 1st July 2022 to 30th June 2023. Results: In both groups, there was a statistically significant improvement in terms of mean air conduction threshold and a decrease in mean ABG postoperatively. The PTA changes in terms of success (P>0.05) showed no statistically significant difference between the groups. Conclusion: Both temporalis fascia and tragal cartilage-perichondrium are suitable graft materials for type 1 tympanoplasty and hearing gain through the tragal cartilage-perichondrium graft was better than the temporalis fascia.

Pediatric surgery for middle ear cholesteatoma: analysis of 47 cases

The clinical data of 47 children (52 ears) with middle ear cholesteatoma at Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University from January 2021 to February 2024 were prospectively collected. There were 30 males and 17 females, with a mean age of (8.5±2.8) years. Surgical procedures included endoscopic tympanoplasty (29 ears), combined endoscopic/microscopic tympanoplasty (8 ears) and microscopic tympanoplasty (15 ears). After endoscopic surgeries, the mean air conduction hearing threshold, mean bone conduction hearing threshold and air bone gap were (28.4±10.4) dB HL, (12.4±5.9) dB HL and (16.0±6.3) dB HL, respectively, which were significantly improved compared with preoperative indicators [(40.2±14.0) dB HL, (16.3±6.8) dB HL and (23.9±9.8) dB HL, respectively] (all P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in the postoperative mean air conduction hearing threshold and air bone gap among three surgical groups, and the value of endoscope group was lower than those of microscope group and endoscope combined with microscope group (all P<0.05). After a follow-up of 5.6 (1.2, 11.5) months, no statistically significant differences were observed in the rate of successful tympanic membrane healing between endoscope group and microscope group (P=0.747). One ear in the endoscope group experienced recurrence three years after surgery, and no intracranial and extracranial complications occurred. The current study indicates that endoscopic surgery for pediatric cholesteatoma improves hearing with good results.

Outcome of Primary Stapedotomy in 21 Consecutive Cases of Juvenile Otosclerosis.

Otosclerosis is a relatively uncommon condition that causes conductive hearing loss in children. The preferred treatment for adults is stapedotomy, while for individuals under 18 years old, there is an ongoing discussion about the best treatment approach. Thus, the surgical procedure for the stapes in pediatric patients continues to be a subject of debate. This study aimed to evaluate the results of stapes surgery in children, trying to understand, based on our results, whether this is actually the most suitable option. The study included 18 patients who underwent surgery between January 2013 and December 2023. The patients' ages ranged from 11 to 18 years, with an average age of 14.7. Out of the total 21 surgeries, three patients opted for bilateral surgery. Pre- and post-operative data were compared, focusing on the mean air conduction (AC) and bone conduction (BC) thresholds at frequencies of 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz. Additionally, pre-operative thresholds and the post-operative air-bone gap (ABG) were examined. After a year, the air-bone gap was effectively reduced to 10 dB or less in 94% of the 21 cases, and to 20 dB or less in 98% of all cases. Our results and research in the field have consistently shown that stapedotomy, when conducted by skilled otosurgeons, is a reliable and successful procedure for a considerable number of patients. The outcomes it generates are similar to those achieved through the procedure conducted during adulthood.

Correlation Between Pure Tone Audiometry Values and Middle Ear Ossicular Chain Status in Chronic Otitis Media: Study in a Tertiary Health Care Centre.

In this study, we attempt to compare the pure tone audiometry findings with ossicular chain status intraoperatively in patients of chronic otitis media. 102 patients who presented with COM during a period of one year and met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. All patients underwent preoperative pure tone Audiometry and findings were tabulated. All patients were evaluated intraoperatively by the same surgeon and observations were made regarding ossicular chain integrity. Small central perforation was noted in 10%, medium central perforation in 38.57%, large central perforation in 27.14% and subtotal perforation in 24.28%. 71.56% patients had an intact ossicular chain, of which 94.5% was mucosal disease and 5.5% were squamous disease. 29 cases showed eroded/absent ossicles, out of which, 28 had squamous type and 1 case had central perforation. Ossicular status was classified based on Austin Classification. Conductive hearing loss was found to be maximum where all 3 ossicles were eroded/absent, with a mean AB gap of 45.33 and mean air conduction threshold of 60.33. There is a good correlation between the hearing threshold of the patient and the status of ossicular chain. Preoperative knowledge of the degree of hearing loss and status of ossicular chain would allow the surgeon to plan proper ossicular reconstruction and give the patient a better advice regarding prognosis of hearing improvement after surgery.

Outcomes of Palisade Cartilage Tympanoplasty in Chronic Otitis Media: Our Experience at a Tertiary Care Centre.

To evaluate the anatomical and functional success rates of palisade cartilage tympanoplasty in chronic otitis media. Thirty patients with chronic otitis media with subtotal perforation underwent palisade cartilage tympanoplasty and were assessed prospectively. The outcomes evaluated were graft uptake and hearing gain. Overall graft uptake was 90% with failure in 3 cases. The preoperative mean air conduction threshold was 22.087 ± 6.120dB which was improved to 13.387 ± 5.253dB postoperatively at 12weeks which was statistically significant. The mean postoperative ABG closure was 8.700dB with a p value of 0.001 which was statistically significant. Palisade cartilage tympanoplasty demonstrates that subtotal perforations, which are at high risk for graft failure, can be treated efficiently and a durable and resistant reconstruction of the tympanic membrane with reasonable hearing can be achieved.

Hearing Results after Transmastoid Superior Semicircular Canal Plugging for Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence: A Meta-Analysis.

The transmastoid plugging of a superior semicircular canal is considered a safe and effective technique for the management of superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD). The aim of this meta-analysis is to assess the postoperative hearing outcomes after the transmastoid plugging of the superior semicircular canal. Search method and data sources: A systematic database search was performed on the following databases until 30 January 2023: MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CINAHL, ICTRP, and clinicaltrials.gov. A systematic literature review and meta-analysis of the pooled data were conducted. We also included a consecutive case series with SCDS for those who underwent transmastoid plugging treatment at our clinic. We identified 643 citations and examined 358 full abstracts and 88 full manuscripts. A total of 16 studies were eligible for the systematic review and 11 studies for the meta-analysis. Furthermore, 159 ears (152 patients) were included. The postoperative mean air conduction threshold remained unchanged (mean difference, 2.89 dB; 95% CI: -0.05, 5.84 dB, p = 0.58), while the mean bone conduction threshold was significantly worse (mean difference, -3.53 dB; 95% CI, -6.1, -0.95 dB, p = 0.9). The transmastoid plugging technique for superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome, although minimally worsening the inner ear threshold, is a safe procedure in terms of hearing preservation and satisfactory symptom relief.

The Clinical Picture of Otosclerosis and the Surgery Effect on Bone Conduction Thresholds on Audiograms.

Our study aims to illustrate the clinical picture of otosclerosis in patients and the effect of surgery on the bone conduction thresholds compared to audiometry tests before surgery. A retrospective study included 36 patients that fit the inclusion criteria based on the patient's files and Pure Tone Audiometry of the patients before and after surgery. The questionnaire used is attached at the end of the study. According to Our sample, 77.8% were females, and 22.2% were males. The youngest was 17years old, the eldest was 61, and the mean age was 38.2years old. Hearing loss was the most common symptom in 100% of patients, while tinnitus was found in 66.7% and vertigo in 11%. The Injury was bilateral in 72% of the cases. Before surgery, the mean air conduction threshold (ACT) was 54.7dB, the mean value of the air-bone gap (ABG) was 38.3dB, and the mean bone conduction threshold (BCT) was 16.1dB. Meanwhile, after the surgery, the mean BCT was 18.2dB. Otosclerosis is more common in middle-aged females. Most cases are bilateral. Two-thirds of the cases of hearing loss were associated with tinnitus, while only a few had vertigo. A slight increase was noticed in BCTs after surgeries, especially at 4000Hz. Stapedectomy caused a noticeable decrease in the values of BCTs on the frequency 4000Hz. Stapedotomy improved the BCTs after surgery by about 5.3dB at 4000Hz.

Is pre-operative audiometry a reliable predictor of ossicular chain condition?

ObjectiveInvestigation of ossicular chain (OC) status before surgery is important for preoperative patient consultation. This research aimed to investigate the relationship between pre-operative audiometric values and intra-operative OC condition in a relatively large population of chronic otitis media (COM) surgeries. MethodsIn this descriptive-analytic cross-sectional study, we evaluated 694 patients who underwent COM surgeries. We analyzed pre-operative audiometric data and intraoperative findings including ossicular anatomy, ossicular mobility, and the condition of middle ear mucosa. ResultsThe optimal cut-off values of pre-operative speech reception threshold (SRT), mean air-conduction (AC), and mean air-bone gap (ABG) for predicting OC discontinuity were 37.5 dB, 37.2 dB, and 28.4 dB, respectively. For the prediction of OC fixation, the optimal cut-off points of SRT, mean AC, and mean ABG were 37.5 dB, 40.3 dB, and 32.8 dB, respectively.The computing of Cohen's d (95 % confidence interval) demonstrated the greater mean ABG in ears with OC discontinuity in comparison with ears with normal ossicles in all types of pathologies. There was a descending trend of Cohen's d from cholesteatoma to tympanosclerosis and then to granulation tissue and hypertrophic mucosa.There was a substantial relation between the type of pathology and OC status (P < 0.001). Ears with tympanosclerosis plaque had the most fixed OC among all types of pathologies (40 ears, 30.8 %), and ears with no pathology had the most normal OC (135 ears, 83.3 %). ConclusionsThe results supported the view that pre-operative hearing is a key determining factor for the prediction of OC status.

A study of outcome of ossiculoplasty using autologous cartilage, refashioned incus, and polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) prosthesis in patients of chronic suppurative otitis media

AimTo find out the mean air conduction thresholds (ACT) and air–bone gap (ABG) closure across the treatment groups at the end of 3 and 6 months of follow-up.Material and methodsSixty patients diagnosed with COM with conductive hearing loss were included in the study. Air conduction threshold (ACT) and air–bone gap were calculated and recorded pre-operatively. Surgery was done with clearance of disease followed by reconstruction of hearing in single-stage operation using autologous conchal cartilage, refashioned incus, and polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) prosthesis (PORP, TORP) depending upon the intraoperative findings during surgery. Patients were followed for up to 6 months for assessing the hearing outcome in terms of the mean air conduction threshold and mean air–bone gap closure for each group separately.ResultsThe outcome of each ossiculoplasty material was calculated in terms of mean air conduction threshold and mean AB gap closure. Preoperative and postoperative air conduction threshold (ACT) at 3 months and 6 months follow-up of each group was as follows: for the autologous conchal cartilage group, 41.3 (± SD 6.69), 29.2 (± SD 5.39), and 21 (± SD 4.66); for autologous refashioned incus group, 40.4 (± SD 5.43), 28.4 (± SD 6.73), and 20.8 (± SD 4.33); for the Teflon PORP group, 42.9 (± SD 5.68), 31.4 (± SD 6.86), and 34.9 (± SD 6.37); and for the Teflon TORP group, 43.1 (± SD 5.40), 32.5 (± SD 5.91), and 36.2 (± SD 5.31). The mean air–bone gap preoperatively and postoperatively at 3 months and 6 months respectively were as follows: for autologous conchal cartilage, 40.6 (± SD 4.57), 23.7 (± SD 4.48), and 20 (± SD 5.28); for autologous refashioned incus, 39.3(± SD 4.92), 21.9 (± SD 5.61), and 19.4 (± SD 5.82); for Teflon PORP 43.0 (± SD 4.48), 32.8 (± SD 4.84), and 36.3 (± SD 5.56); and for Teflon TORP, 44.5 (± SD 5.56), 33.2 (± SD 5.53), and 35.2 (± SD 5.10).ConclusionThe hearing outcome of ossiculoplasty varies with the type of ossiculoplasty material used. Most favorable results were obtained with refashioned autologous incus followed by autologous conchal cartilage. Teflon prosthesis has a significant improvement in hearing outcomes although the results are less favorable.

Conservative Otosclerosis Treatment With Sodium Fluoride and Other Modern Formulations: A Systematic Review.

Otosclerosis, also known as otospongiosis, is a primary osteodystrophy of the otic capsule of the inner ear and one of the leading causes of deafness in adults. The rationale for medical therapy for otospongiosis is to slow down and eventually stop the phase of bone resorption. Conservative treatments includesodium fluoride (NaF), bisphosphonates, and other modern medicines. A systematic review of the existing and published articles and books until April 2021 has been conducted in Medscape, Google Scholar, PubMed, and other databasesusing appropriate terms.According to the results of the research, the administration of NaF for a period of at least six months stabilizes hearing thresholds (HTs), improves vestibular symptoms, and delays the worsening of tinnitus. The administration of bisphosphonates for a period of at least six months showed significant percentage differences in the improvement of hearing loss, dizziness, and tinnitus remission.In the already existing double-blind studies that were evaluated, groups of patients treated with bisphosphonates for at least 24 months showed greater stabilization of the mean air and bone conduction thresholds than groups of patients treated with a placebo. The new modern medications have not yet been widely administered clinically to draw useful conclusions, although the test results of some of their use are quite encouraging.

Long-Term Results of Tragal Cartilage Type 1 Tympanoplasty

Aim: Tympanoplasty is one of the most frequently performed operations by ear, nose, and throat specialists. Surgical treatment of tympanoplasty aims to obtain a healthy ear membrane and minimise hearing loss. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the success of the graft and functional hearing outcomes of patients applied with tragal cartilage type 1 tympanoplasty operation in our clinic. Materials and Methods: This study included 43 patients who underwent tragal cartilage type 1 tympanoplasty operation between January 2016 and November 2020. A retrospective evaluation was made of the preoperative pure tone audiometry (PTA) values and the operative findings. In the follow-up examination, the graft status and PTA results were recorded. The graft success and improvements in hearing were evaluated in all the patients. Results: A total of 43 patients were evaluated, comprising 24 males and 19 females with a mean age of 31.2 years (range, 13-58 years). The operation was performed on the right ear of 22 patients and the left ear of 21. The tympanoplasty operation was performed with an endaural approach in 6 cases and a postauricular approach in 37. The mean follow-up period was 20.8 months (range, 12-39 months). The rate of graft success of all the patients was 88.4%. The mean air conduction threshold, air-bone gap, and bone conduction threshold values at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz were determined to have statistically significantly decreased postoperatively in comparison with the preoperative values (p&amp;lt;0.05). Conclusion: In tragal cartilage type 1 tympanoplasty operations, high rates of graft success were obtained and a dramatic gain in hearing postoperatively.

A comparative study between audiological and speech outcomes of non-implantable wearing options for BAHA in the pediatric population

&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background:&lt;/strong&gt; The aim of the study was to determine the audiological benefit of the current BAHAs sound processor worn on a SoundArc and to compare it to the known Softband in terms of soundField hearing thresholds and speech understanding in patients who have purely conductive, mixed, or SSD hearing loss.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods:&lt;/strong&gt; A cross-sectional study looking at children with conductive, mixed, or SSD hearing loss who are not candidates for middle ear surgery, canalplasty, or standard hearing aids. At the baseline visit, pure-tone audiograms were obtained, including masked/unmasked air- and bone conduction thresholds with speech recognition scores. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results:&lt;/strong&gt; After two weeks of using programmed processors with Softband and SoundArc, all children were examined. The threshold for aided pure-tone audiometry was tested twice through each of the two transmission paths. The aided pure-tone audiometry threshold demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in PTA. The mean air-conduction thresholds for frequencies (0.5 to 4 kHz) were 63 dB, while the aided mean thresholds with the device (with Softband and SoundArc) was 35 dB. When compared to the unaided scenario, a statistically significant improvement of 98 percent (SoundArc) to 96 percent (Softband) was found at 65 dBSPL. There were no statistically significant differences between any of the ensembles (p=0.261).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/strong&gt; The results of our study suggest that subjects with conductive, mixed, or single-sided deafness hearing loss aided with BAHA sound processor worn on SoundArc or on a Softband can cause a significant improvement in terms of soundfield hearing threshold and speech understanding when compared to unaided conditions.&lt;/p&gt;

Transcanal endoscopic treatment for congenital middle ear cholesteatoma in children.

To investigate the feasibility and efficacy of transcanal endoscopic treatment for congenital middle ear cholesteatoma in children.Eleven children diagnosed with congenital middle ear cholesteatoma, who underwent total ear endoscopic surgery under general anesthesia, were included from the Huazhong University of Science and Technology Union Shenzhen Hospital between January 2016 and December 2020. We retrospectively analyzed their operation process and surgical complications through the surgical video; moreover, we compared the pre- and postoperative hearing outcomes.One child underwent a planned second operation to reconstruct the ossicular chain. At 6 postoperative months, all 11 children underwent reexamination. There was no significant change and a significant decrease in the mean bone and air conduction hearing thresholds, respectively (P > .05 and P < .05); moreover, there was a significant reduction in the air–bone conduction difference (P < .05). Further, the air–bone conduction difference was reduced to >20 dB and >10 dB in 11 and 7 children, respectively. Follow-up of the children did not reveal sensorineural deafness, facial paralysis, and other serious complications; further, there were no cases of recurrence.Transcanal endoscopic treatment for congenital middle ear cholesteatoma in children is feasible, minimally invasive, and functional.

CT scan findings impact on hearing thresholds in otosclerosis: A study of 108 patients

BackgroundThe relationship between the location of otosclerotic zones and hearing thresholds has been evaluated in several studies and has generated different conflicting reports. This study was carried out in order to evaluate the relationship between otosclerotic zones extension on CT scan and pure tone audiometry (PTA) thresholds, before and after stapedotomy. Materials and Methods: 108 patients with a positive surgical diagnosis of otosclerosis, operated by the same surgeon, were enrolled in this retrospective study, performed in a tertiary referral hospital between 2015 and 2018. ResultsPTA thresholds were significantly poorer in cases of extensive otosclerosis (peri cochlear, peri vestibular, or internal auditory canal hypodensities, p = 0,001). However, for cases with hypodensity extending to the endosteum of cochlea (Type III), we have noted a significant improvement in postoperative PTA thresholds (Mean AC (air conduction) = 32,8 ± 8,16/62,97 ± 12,28 dB), Mean BC (bone conduction) = 18,3 ± 8,56/26,25 ± 15,93 dB). Conclusions: In our study, extensive and multifocal otosclerosis lesions had a statistically significant negative impact on postoperative AC and BC threshold; however, type III lesions tend to be associated with a very good prognosis.

Subjective Sound Quality Detection (HISQUI) over Time after Vibrant Soundbridge Implantation.

Background: To evaluate the long-term audiological outcomes combined with the Hearing Implant Sound Quality Index (HISQUI) after Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) implantation. Methods: Prospective recall cohort study of patients who received a VSB in a tertiary academic medical center between 1996 and 2017. Air conduction (AC) and bone conduction (BC), sound field thresholds in aided and unaided conditions, and speech discrimination in noise (Oldenburger sentence test) were measured. Postoperative results were compared with preoperative audiograms. Furthermore, the HISQUI was evaluated. Results: Ten patients (eleven implants) were included, the mean follow up period was nine years. The mean AC threshold preoperatively was between 63 and 70 dB, and the BC was between 38 and 49 dB from 500 to 4000 Hz. In the free-field audiogram, the mean threshold was between 61 and 77 dB unaided vs. between 28 and 52 dB in the aided condition. The average signal to noise ratio (SNR) in the Oldenburger sentence test in the unaided condition was 10 dB ± 6.7 dB vs. 2 dB ± 5.4 dB in the aided condition. Three patients reported a good to very good hearing result, four patients a moderate, and three patients a poor hearing result. There was a significant association between the years of implantation and the HISQUI (p = 0.013), as well as a significant decrease by 14 HISQUI points per 10 dB SPL decline (SE 5.2, p = 0.023). There was a significant difference between the change of BC over the years and the HISQUI, as well as the number of years after implantation and the HISQUI. On average, per dB decrease in BC, the HISQUI decreases by 1.4 points, and every year after implantation the HISQUI decreases by 2.7 points. Conclusions: The aided threshold in free field and speech understanding in noise improved significantly with VSB. An increase over time of BC thresholds was observed as well as a decrease in HISQUI score. This decrease in BC thresholds over time may be due to presbycusis. Therefore, monitoring of these patients over time should be considered to discuss alternative hearing rehabilitation measures in a timely manner.

Outcomes of Stapedotomy in Patients With Concomitant Otosclerosis and Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence: Should a Radiographic Third-Window Be a Contraindication to Stapes Surgery?

Review surgical outcomes of stapedotomy in patients with concomitant otosclerosis and superior semicircular canal dehiscence. Retrospective case review. Tertiary referral center. Patients with otosclerosis and radiographic superior semicircular canal dehiscence undergoing stapedotomy between 2008 and 2020. Stapedotomy. Pre- and postoperative hearing and unmasking of third-window symptoms. Hearing was measured by air conduction (AC) and bone conduction (BC) pure-tone averages (PTA), air-bone gap (ABG), and word recognition scores (WRS). Third-window symptoms included hyperacusis, autophony, sound- or pressure-induced vertigo, imbalance, or oscillopsia. Twenty patients with otosclerosis and radiographic superior semicircular canal dehiscence underwent stapedotomy, 13 primary and 7 revision. Mean AC PTA was 49.3 dB preoperatively and 35.6 dB postoperatively (p = 0.0077), while the ABG improved on average from 23.9 to 9.68 dB (p < 0.0001). The ABG improved to ≤10 dB in 12/20 patients (60%), and ≤20 dB in 18/20 patients (90%). There was no significant difference in BC PTA or WRS postoperatively. Two patients (10%) experienced potential transient unmasking of third-window symptoms-hyperacusis and prolonged imbalance-which both resolved. There were no other complications. There was no significant difference in audiologic outcomes or unmasking of third window symptoms between primary or revision cases. Persistent conductive hearing loss is common following stapedotomy for otosclerosis in patients with concomitant superior semicircular canal dehiscence. However, a majority of patients can achieve excellent hearing outcomes, while unmasking of third window symptoms appears to be rare. Radiographic superior semicircular canal dehiscence may not be an absolute contraindication to stapes surgery for otosclerosis.

Robot-Assisted Middle Ear Endoscopic Surgery: Preliminary Results on 37 Patients.

Background: Endoscopy during middle ear surgery is advantageous for better exploration of middle ear structures. However, using an endoscope has some weaknesses as surgical gestures are performed with one hand. This may trouble surgeons accustomed to using two-handed surgery, and may affect accuracy. A robot-based holder may combine the benefits from endoscopic exposure with a two-handed technique. The purpose of this study was to assess the safety and value of an endoscope held by a teleoperated system.Patients and Methods: A case series of 37 consecutive patients operated using endoscopic exposure with robot-based assistance was analyzed retrospectively. The RobOtol® system (Collin, France) was teleoperated as an endoscope holder in combination with a microscope. The following data were collected: patient characteristics, etiology, procedure type, complications, mean air and bone conduction thresholds, and speech performance at 3 months postoperatively. Patients had type I (myringoplasty), II (partial ossiculoplasty), and III (total ossiculoplasty) tympanoplasties in 15, 14, and 4 cases, respectively. Three patients had partial petrosectomies for cholesteatomas extending to the petrous apex. Finally, one case underwent resection of a tympanic paraganglioma. Ambulatory procedures were performed in 25 of the 37 patients (68%).Results: Complete healing with no perforation of the tympanic membrane was noted postoperatively in all patients. No complications relating to robotic manipulation occurred during surgery or postoperatively. The mean air conduction gain was 3.8 ± 12.6 dB for type I (n = 15), 7.9 ± 11.4 dB for type II (n = 14), and −0.9 ± 10.8 for type III tympanoplasties (n = 4), and the postoperative air-bone conduction gap was 13.8 ± 13.3 dB for type I, 19.7 ± 11.7 dB for type II and 31.6 ± 13.0 dB for type III tympanoplasty. They was no relapse of cholesteatoma or paraganglioma during the short follow-up period (<1 year).Conclusion: This study indicates that robot-assisted endoscopy is a safe and trustworthy tool for several categories of middle ear procedures. It combines the benefits of endoscopic exposure with a two-handed technique in middle ear surgery. It can be used as a standalone tool for pathology limited to the middle ear cleft or in combination with a microscope in lesions extending to the mastoid or petrous apex.

Evaluating hearing results in stapedotomy: Comparison of fluoroplastic Causse loop piston and Matrix prosthesis.

ObjectiveWe carried out this research to assess and compare post‐stapedotomy hearing results of Matrix titanium prosthesis with a Teflon piston prosthesis, specifically the fluoroplastic (Teflon) Causse loop piston prosthesis in patients who suffered from otosclerosis.MethodologyIn this retrospective study, Causse loop piston prosthesis was used in 81 ears, and the Matrix prosthesis was applied in 44 ears. For pairwise matching with Matrix prosthesis, 44 out of 81 Causse loop piston‐treated ears were selected based on preoperative audiometric data. Then, postoperative audiometric results of these two groups were compared. The main outcomes were pure tone audiometric results and air‐bone gap (ABG) closure before and after the surgery. Incidence of postoperative sensorineural hearing loss was also evaluated and compared between the two groups.ResultsThe results revealed no significant difference in improvement of speech reception threshold, mean air conduction, bone conduction gain, ABG closure, and incidence of postoperative sensorineural hearing loss at the frequencies of 0.5‐4 kHz between the two groups. However, performance of Matrix prosthesis was better in ABG closure at a frequency of 250 Hz.ConclusionHerein, similar postoperative improvement was achieved at the frequencies of 0.5‐4 kHz; nevertheless, Matrix provided better ABG closure at frequency of 250 Hz in short term.Level of Evidence4

Endoskopik modifiye kelebek timpanoplasti ile incudostapedial rekonstrüksiyon sonuçları

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of endoscopic butterfly tympanoplasty in perforations that involve the ossicular chain pathologies.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: We assessed the outcome of endoscopic modified butterfly tympanoplasty in 29 patients. The study included those with large tympanic membrane perforations covering the manubrium of malleus and has ossicular chain pathologies, operated via endoscopic transcanal tympanoplasty. &#x0D; Results: The tympanic membrane closure rate was 89.7% (26 of 29 ears). The mean air conduction in the pre- and postoperative period was 37.75±5.20 dB and 18.96±6.52 dB, respectively, with a statistically significant decrease of 18.79±7.33. The mean pre- and the postoperative air-bone gap was 27.82±4.74 dB and 9.17±4.89 dB, respectively, with a statistically significant decrease of 18.62±7.11 &#x0D; Conclusion: The endoscopic modified butterfly tympanoplasty technique is a minimally invasive technique that can provide successful results in large perforations with defective incudostapedial joint.

Endoscopic Management of Early Stage Middle Ear Paragangliomas - An Australian Case Series.

To analyze the outcomes of the endoscopic transcanal approach for removal of early stage middle ear paraganglioma tumors (MEPT). Cases series with chart review. Two tertiary Australian Otology centers. Adult patients with middle ear paraganglioma tumors treated with transcanal endoscopic approach from 2/2016 to 12/2019. Tumor staging was described using the Modified Fisch-Mattox (MFM). Inclusion criteria included patients with an MFM Class A or B. Exclusion criteria included higher staged or syndromic disease. All tumors were managed with transcanal endoscopic approach. Primary outcome measures included disease clearance and hearing measured according to the AAO-HNS guidelines. Secondary outcomes included complications, duration of surgery, and length of stay. Ten patients underwent totally endoscopic transcanal resection of MEPT (9 female, mean age of 45.5 years, 70% were left sided). Mean tumor size was 6.1 mm (SD 3.4 mm). Five cases (50%) were classified using the MFM system as class A1, two cases were class A2, and three cases were class B1. Three cases required canalplasty for access but were completed entirely endoscopically. Nine of the 10 cases had complete audiometric data. Pre- and postoperative mean air conduction remained stable with a decrease in mean air-bone gap of 2.84 dB. Postoperative complications include one pinhole perforation. There were no facial nerve complications. Mean follow-up period was 10 months (range 4-25 mo) with all cases having resolution of pulsatile tinnitus and no tumor recurrence. The transcanal endoscopic approach for early stage MEPT offers excellent visualization and permits safe and effective removal of disease with the advantages of a minimally invasive technique for patient recovery.