ENDOSCOPIC EAR SURGERY

ENDOSCOPIC EAR  SURGERY

Ear surgery is usually performed using a microscope but endoscopic view has specific advantages owing to the greater field of view and ease of access to “hidden areas”. Endoscopic ear surgery is a minimally invasive technique of surgery used to operate on tiny delicate structures within the  middle ear. In this technique no incision is made behind or in front of the ear, it is rather a less painful procedure and results in faster recovery. It differs from traditional surgery that accesses the middle ear through ear canal rather than making an incision behind the ear.

Indications

1.      Ear drum perforation

2.      Cholesteatoma (bone eroding disease) of middle ear

3.      Cochlear Implant surgery

4.      Tumors of ear and middle cranial fossa

Difference between Traditional and Endoscopic technique

                  Microscopic view                                                                   Endoscopic view

Advantages

1.      Wide field of view – high resolution of tympanic cavity

2.      Stitch less and scar less surgery

3.      One handed technique

4.      Reduction in local tissue trauma

5.      Avoidance of post auricular approaches and minimizing damage to neurovascular structures

6.      Excellent advanced technique for ear drum perforation.

7.      Endoscopes help in angled vision at tip allowing on site visualization like Facial Recess, Sinus tympani, Eustachian tube, hypotympanium, middle ear epitympanic recess.