[Evaluation of the feasibility of endoscopic tympanoplasty in two-person three-hand operation].

Objective:To study the difference of postoperative efficacy between two-person three-hand ear endoscopy and microscopic tympanoplasty in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media, and to explore the advantages and disadvantages of two-person three-hand ear endoscopy. Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 100 patients who underwent tympanoplasty in the Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery of Hunan People's Hospital from April 2019 to March 2023, and they were divided into 2 groups with 50 cases each according to random number table method. Among them, 50 cases underwent endoscopic tympanoplasty in two-person three-hand（group A） and 50 cases underwent routine microscopic tympanoplasty（group B）. The operation and postoperative conditions of the two groups were followed up. Results:In group A, the mean operation time was（65.78±18.21） min, the mean intraoperative blood loss was（12.94±4.46） mL, the postoperative pain score was（1.82±0.60） points, and the mean postoperative hospital stay was（2.76±0.72） d. The mean operation time of group B was（89.45±20.38） min, the mean intraoperative blood loss was（22.78±5.74） mL, the postoperative pain score was（2.98±0.85） points, and the mean postoperative hospital stay was（3.82±0.75） d, which with statistical significance between the two groups（P<0.05）. Hearing in both groups was significantly improved 6 months after surgery, and the difference was statistically significant before and after surgery（P<0.05）, but there was no significant difference between the two groups before surgery and 6 months after surgery（P>0.05）. There were 2 cases in group A（4%） and 1 case in group B（2%） complicated with tympanic cord injury during operation, and the difference was not statistically significant（P>0.05）. There were 47 cases of A group（94%） of one-time healing of tympanic membrane after operation, 48 cases（96%） of group B, and the difference was not statistically significant（P>0.05）. Conclusion:There is no significant difference in cure rate and hearing improvement between two-person three-hand ear endoscopic tympanoplasty and conventional microscope surgery, and the operation time is significantly shortened, the amount of blood loss is less, and the postoperative recovery is faster. It has the advantages of clear operating field, two-person three-hand operation, minimally invasive, and can reach the range of middle ear tympanic sinus and mastoid apex, and the surgical complications are seldom, which is worth promoting.

Recurrent Cholesteatoma: Why it occurs?

A cholesteatoma is an expansion of keratinizing squamous epithelium that enters the middle ear cleft from the outer layer of the tympanic membrane or ear canal. Choleatomas are always treated surgically. Recurrence of the illness presents another challenge for the patient and the surgeon, though. There have been reports of recurrence rates as high as 30% in adults and as high as 70% in children. Here, we describe a case of persistent recurrent otorrhea following revision surgery, along with acquired recurrent cholesteatoma following canal wall down surgery. A 38-year -male with underlying Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension presented with left scanty and foul-smelling ear discharge for 2 years and left reduced hearing. He was diagnosed with left chronic active otitis media with cholesteatoma for which he underwent left modified radical mastoidectomy, meatoplasty and tympanoplasty in 2017. Five months post operatively, he presented with left otorrhea. However, he defaulted followed up and presented in April 2018 for similar complaints. Otoscopy examination revealed left tympanic membrane perforation at poster superior quadrant of pars tensa and bluish discoloration behind pars flacida. He was diagnosed as recurrent left cholesteatoma and subsequently he underwent left mastoid exploration under general anesthesia in June 2018. Postsurgery, he developed recurrent ear discharge which was treated with topical antibiotics and ear toileting. We report a case of recurrent Cholesteatoma despite canal wall down procedure requiring a second redo procedure and with persistent recurrent otorrhea after the redo procedure.However, this case demonstrates the need for regular follow ups even after a canal wall down procedure for detecting recurrence of disease. Moreover, this case denotes some of the patient factors and surgeon factors involved in disease recurrence. Furthermore, importance of opting for an imaging study in case of high suspicion of the disease.

A New Method in Transcanal Medial Grafting Type-I Cartilage Tympanoplasty.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the surgical results of a modified technique for the tympanic membrane (TM) perforation repair and to compare this new technique with the traditional methods. STUDY DESIGN: An interventional study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Otolaryngology, Medicana International Hospital, Samsun, Turkiye, from June 2019 till June 2021. METHODOLOGY: The study was conducted with 24 patients who underwent cartilage tympanoplasty. Pure-tone audiometry (PTA), preoperative and postoperative air and bone conduction hearing levels were determined. The mean values of air and bone conduction and air-bone gap (ABG) were recorded. RESULTS: Postoperatively, 23 grafts were intact, and one was perforated, perforation secondary to otomycosis in the first month postoperatively. Eight patients had previous unsuccessful tympanoplasty history. These patients' tympanic grafts were intact with this technique. Surgical success rate was 96.0%. Postoperative hearing gain was 12,8 dB. Functional success rate was 88.0%. Mean surgery time was 30 minutes. Patients easily continued their lives in one-week time after the surgery. CONCLUSION: The new modified cartilage tympanoplasty method had high surgical success, and good audiometric results were obtained. KEY WORDS: Type-I cartilage, Tympanoplasty, Transcanal medial grafting, Tympanomeatal flap elevation.

The TORP-PORP: A Tympanoplasty Technique for Isolated Defects of the Stapes Suprastructure.

OBJECTIVE: Investigating the outcomes of a surgical approach to treat isolated defects of the stapes suprastructure, using a modified total ossicular replacement prosthesis (TORP) prosthesis as a PORP between the footplate and the incus, effectively creating a TORP-PORP configuration. PATIENTS: Eleven patients (mean age, 37.2 years; 36% male and 64% female) between the years 2007 and 2022. INTERVENTIONS: Therapeutic (ossiculoplasty). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Hearing gain (in dB) in air conduction thresholds at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, and 4 kHz, stability of bone conduction, revision rate. RESULTS: Significant improvement in air conduction between the preoperative and the postoperative cohorts (p = 0.002) with a mean postoperative hearing level of 30.00 ± 5.25 dB. The bone conduction remained stable. We encountered no perioperative complications, and there were no revisions surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The described ossiculoplasty procedure is a safe and effective approach to treat isolated defects of the stapes suprastructure.

The novel retro-conchal approach for middle ear surgeries: Our experience in 196 patients / El nuevo abordaje retro-conchal para cirugías del oído medio: nuestra experiencia en 196 pacientes

Background This study aimed to describe a new proposed retro-conchal approach for middle ear surgery and to evaluate its advantages and postoperative impact. Methodology A retrospective case-series study was held at a tertiary university hospital from March 2008 to April 2022. We included 196 adult patients who were candidates for middle ear surgery because of chronic otitis media. The retro-conchal approach entailed a skin incision on the medial conchal surface 1 cm anterior to the auricular sulcus. It allowed the harvesting of the required size of conchal cartilage and temporalis fascia through the same incision with access into the middle ear and complete exposure to the mastoid process. In addition, we evaluated the use of this approach in tympanoplasty, including cholesteatoma surgeries with at least one-year postoperative follow-up. Result The long-term follow-up (22.9 ± 6.37 months) revealed that most operated cases (89%) did not develop postoperative sequelae related to this approach. On the other hand, 22 patients (11%) developed adverse outcomes, with a statistically significant difference regarding adverse outcomes as the P-value <0.001. Conclusion According to our experience with a relatively large number of patients, the retro-conchal technique was practical for various middle ear surgeries. It allowed optimal access to different middle ear areas and obtaining large-sized conchal cartilage and temporalis fascia (if needed) through the same incision without needing extra surgical steps. In addition, it was a safe maneuver without significant adverse outcomes in the long-term follow-up. (AU)

Antecedentes Este estudio tuvo como objetivo describir una nueva propuesta de abordaje retroconchal para la cirugía del oído medio y evaluar sus ventajas e impacto postoperatorio. Metodología Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo de serie de casos en un hospital universitario de tercer nivel desde marzo de 2008 hasta abril de 2022. Se incluyeron 196 pacientes adultos candidatos a cirugía de oído medio por otitis media crónica. El abordaje retroconchal implicó una incisión cutánea en la superficie medial de la concha 1 cm anterior al surco auricular. Permitió la recolección del tamaño requerido de cartílago de la concha y fascia temporal a través de la misma incisión con acceso al oído medio y exposición completa al proceso mastoideo. Evaluamos el uso de este abordaje en la timpanoplastia, incluidas las cirugías de colesteatoma con un seguimiento postoperatorio de al menos un año. Resultado El seguimiento a largo plazo (22,9 ± 6,37 meses) reveló que la mayoría de los casos operados (89%) no desarrollaron secuelas postoperatorias relacionadas con este abordaje. Por otro lado, 22 pacientes (11%) desarrollaron secuelas menores, con diferencia estadísticamente significativa en cuanto a la ocurrencia de secuelas como el valor P < 0,001. Conclusión De acuerdo con nuestra experiencia con un número relativamente grande de pacientes, la técnica retroconchal fue práctica para varias cirugías del oído medio. Permitió un acceso óptimo a diferentes áreas del oído medio y obtener cartílago de la concha y fascia temporal (si es necesario) de gran tamaño a través de la misma incisión sin necesidad de pasos quirúrgicos adicionales. Fue una maniobra segura y sin complicaciones significativas en el seguimiento a largo plazo. (AU)

[Application of the follower arm endoscope holder in type i tympanoplasty].

Objective:To investigate the surgical outcomes and safety of the follower arm endoscope holder in assisting type Ⅰ tympanoplasty. Methods:The clinical data of 16 patients who underwent type Ⅰ tympanoplasty at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, from November 2022 to September 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, among which 8 cases were operated by traditional otoscopy and 8 cases were operated by supported endoscopy.The surgical procedure was analyzed and the completion of supported endoscopic operation was observed, while the duration of the operation, the time consumed by the main steps, the frequency of wiping the lenses, the perioperative complications, and the improvement of the postoperative hearing were recorded and statistically analyzed. Results:Supporting endoscopic technology achieved real-time suction of bleeding, simultaneous traction and separation of tissues, precise removal of calcified spots on the inner side of the eardrum, trimming of the external auditory canal flap, stable separation of the handle of the malleus and the eardrum, and tensioned repositioning of the skin-cartilage flap. The average duration of surgery, time for external auditory canal flap preparation, and time for repositioning the skin-cartilage flap were reduced in the supporting endoscopic surgery group compared to the control group. The average lens wiping frequency was significantly lower in the supporting endoscopic surgery group compared to the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative hearing improvement between the two groups, and no infections or the need for secondary surgery due to eardrum re-perforation occurred postoperatively. Conclusion:Supported endoscopy technology realizes the need for endoscopic two-handed operation and convenient switching between one and two hands, accomplishes many operations that cannot be done by traditional endoscopic surgery, solves the problems of previous intraoperative one-handed operation and image instability, shortens the average operation time compared with traditional otoscopic surgery, and decreases the frequency of intraoperative wiping of the lens significantly compared with traditional otoscopic surgery, which is potentially worthwhile in terms of shortening the learning curve.

[Application and efficacy analysis of tympanic cartilage shaping device in endoscopic type â tympanoplasty].

Objective:To study the feasibility and efficacy of using a tympanic cartilage shaping device in endoscopic type Ⅰ tympanoplasty. Methods:A tympanic cartilage shaper was designed and manufactured by measuring tympanic membrane dimensions with HRCT imaging for cutting and shaping cartilage to repair the tympanic membrane. From August 2019 to October 2021, 66 patients（72 ears） with chronic suppurative otitis media in Xiangya Hospital underwent endoscopic type Ⅰ tympanoplasty with this tympanic cartilage shaping device, and were observed the tympanic membrane healing and hearing recovery effect after surgery. Postoperative follow-up ranged from 3-24 months, with an average of 9 months. The data were analyzed by the SPSS 26.0 software. Results:According to the imaging measurements, tympanic pars tensa width（8.60±0.20） mm, height（8.64±0.19） mm, design and manufacture a cylindrical cartilage shaping device with inner diameter 8.60 mm. After tympanoplasty, the healing rate of tympanic membrane was 100%; The average air-bone gap before surgery was（23.10±7.33） dB, then（14.30±6.40） dB 1 month after surgery, which were significant reduced compared with those before surgery. The average air-bone gap was（14.30±6.40） dB 3 month after surgery compared with 1 month after surgery, the difference was also statistically significant（t=6.630, P<0.05）. Conclusion:The tympanic membrane cartilage shaper shaping cartilage in endoscopic tympanoplasty is simple, stable and reliable, which can reduce the time of graft cartilage processing, improve the efficiency of surgery, and restore the tympanic membrane morphology and function in the postoperative period.

[The technique and application of individualized tympanic membrane flap in the repair of tympanic membrane under endoscopy ear surgery].

Objective:To investigate the technique of personalized flap making under otoscopy and its clinical application. Methods:The clinical data of patients who underwent 301 Military Hospital myringoplasty in the Department of otoendoscopic surgery, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, head and neck surgery, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, from October 2022 to 2023 August were analyzed retrospectively, all enrolled patients were performed independently by the same skilled otoendoscopic surgeon. The patients' general condition, medical history, tympanic membrane perforation scope, perforation size, need for tympanic cavity exploration, thickness of skin flap, tympanic cavity lesion scope, skin flap making method and postoperative rehabilitation were collected. Results:Many factors such as the location of tympanic membrane perforation, the thickness of the skin flap, the degree of curvature or stricture of the ear canal and the extent of the lesion in the tympanic cavity should be considered in the manufacture of the individualized tympanic membrane skin flap, the way of skin flap making does not affect the long-term postoperative rehabilitation, but it can effectively avoid unnecessary ear canal skin flap injury and improve the operation efficiency. Conclusion:Scientific flap fabrication is important for improving surgical efficiency and enhancing surgical confidence.

Evaluation of inner ear damage by mastoid drilling with measurement of serum prestin (SLC26A5) levels.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to demonstrate any inner ear injury caused by drilling in mastoid surgery with prestin, outer hair cell motor protein specific to the cochlea. METHODS: The patients with chronic otitis media requiring mastoidectomy (n = 21) and myringoplasty (n = 21) were included. Serum prestin level obtained from blood samples was measured before surgery and on postoperative days 0, 3, and 7 using Human Prestin (SLC26A5) ELISA Kit. All patients underwent the Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA) test before surgery and on the postoperative 7th day. The drilling time was also recorded for all patients who underwent mastoidectomy. RESULTS: In both mastoidectomy and myringoplasty groups, the postoperative serum prestin levels increased on days 0 and 7 (pday-0 = 0.002, pday-7 = 0.001 and pday-0 = 0.005, pday-7 = 0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference in the serum prestin levels between the two groups, postoperatively. The PTA thresholds at day 7 did not change in either group. A significant decline at 2000 Hz of bone conduction hearing threshold in both groups and a decline at 4000 Hz in the myringoplasty group were found. There was no correlation between the drilling time and the increase of prestin levels in the postoperative day 0, 3, and 7. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that mastoid drilling is not related to a significant inner ear injury. Although the myringoplasty group was not exposed to drill trauma, there was a similar increase in serum prestin levels as the mastoidectomy group. Also, a significant decline at 2000 Hz of bone conduction hearing threshold in both groups and a decline at 4000 Hz in the myringoplasty group were found. These findings suggest that suction and ossicular manipulation trauma can lead to an increase in serum prestin levels and postoperative temporary or permanent SNHL at 2000 and 4000 Hz. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level-4.

Surgical Treatment for Troublesome Mastoid Cavities: Canal Wall Reconstruction With Bony Obliteration Versus Subtotal Petrosectomy.

INTRODUCTION: A chronically discharging modified radical mastoid cavity may require surgical intervention. We aim to explore two techniques. OBJECTIVE: To compare outcomes of subtotal petrosectomy (STP) and canal wall reconstruction with bony obliteration technique (CWR-BOT). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: A tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: All patients with a chronically discharging mastoid cavity surgically treated at the Radboud University Medical Center by STP or CWR-BOT in 2015 to 2020, excluding patients with preoperative cholesteatoma. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Dry ear rate, audiometry, and rehabilitation. SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Healing time, number of postoperative visits, complications, cholesteatoma, and need for revision surgeries. RESULTS: Thirty-four (58%) patients underwent STP, and 25 (42%) CWR-BOT. A dry ear was established in 100% of patients (STP) and 87% (CWR-BOT). The air-bone gap (ABG) increased by 12 dB in STP, and decreased by 11 dB in CWR-BOT. Postoperative ABG of CWR-BOT patients was better when preoperative computed tomography imaging showed aerated middle ear aeration. ABG improvement was higher when ossicular chain reconstruction took place. Mean follow-up time was 32.5 months (STP) versus 40.5 months (CWR-BOT). Healing time was 1.2 months (STP) versus 4.1 months (CWR-BOT). The number of postoperative visits was 2.5 (STP) versus 5 (CWR-BOT). Cholesteatoma was found in 15% (STP) versus 4% (CWR-BOT) of patients. Complication rate was 18% (STP) and 24% (CWR-BOT) with a need for revision in 21% (STP) and 8% (CWR-BOT), including revisions for cholesteatoma. CONCLUSION: STP and CWR-BOT are excellent treatment options for obtaining a dry ear in patients with a chronically discharging mastoid cavity. This article outlines essential contributing factors in counseling patients when opting for one or the other. Magnetic resonance imaging with diffusion-weighted imaging follow-up should be conducted at 3 and 5 years postoperatively.

Comparison of subcutaneous soft tissue versus temporalis fascia as a tympanoplasty graft material: a retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: This research compares the efficacy of subcutaneous soft tissue and temporalis fascia in tympanic membrane grafting for large tympanic membrane perforations. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study compared tympanic membrane graft success rate and hearing outcomes in 248 patients who underwent tympanoplasty using subcutaneous soft tissue (n = 118) or temporalis fascia (n = 130) via the post-auricular approach. RESULTS: Comparable results were observed in both groups. Tympanic membrane graft success rate was 98.3 per cent (116 ears) in the subcutaneous soft tissue group and 98.5 per cent (128 ears) in the temporalis fascia group. The rate of air-bone gap closure within 20 dB was 54.2 per cent (64 ears) and 60.0 per cent (78 ears) in the soft tissue and temporalis fascia groups, respectively (p = 0.360). CONCLUSION: Subcutaneous soft tissue is a reliable and readily available tympanic membrane graft material in both revision and primary tympanoplasty for large tympanic membrane perforations.

Long term results of glass ionomer ossiculoplasty.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze and compare the early and late post-operative results of glass ionomer bone cement (GIBC) used in ossiculoplasty. METHODS: The pre-operative, early post-operative (3 months) and late post-operative (> 2 years) audiometric findings, namely the pure-tone average (PTA), bone conduction threshold (BCT) and air-bone gap (ABG) of 40 patients who underwent GIBC ossiculoplasty for different etiologies were analyzed. Early and late results were compared. Also, the patients were grouped in terms of prognostic factors and applied ossiculoplasty techniques, and the results were compared between the groups. RESULTS: There were statistically significant improvements in the pure-tone average and air-bone gap of the patients in the early post-operative period (PTA from 59.60 ± 15.95 to 40.37 ± 17.83 and ABG from 37.12 ± 11.18 to 19.78 ± 10.41, p < 0.001 for both). There were no statistically significant changes in any of the audiometric parameters in the late post-operative period (PTA from 40.37 ± 17.83 to 39.79 ± 17.91, ABG from 19.78 ± 10.41 to 19.32 ± 9.60, BCT from 17.99 ± 12.71 to 18.31 ± 13.99, p > 0.05 for all). Presence of tympanosclerosis was found to be the only prognostic factor to affect the outcome. CONCLUSION: GIBC is a safe and reliable material for ossiculoplasty, which maintains its ability to conduct sound in the long-term follow-up.

Reconstructive ossiculoplasty options in primary cholesteatoma surgeries with an intact stapes.

PURPOSE: In primary cholesteatoma patients, incus destruction with an intact and mobile stapes is a frequent finding. Different techniques have been described to restore the ossicular chain, including incus interposition, stapes augmentation and type III tympanoplasty. Controversy about postoperative hearing results in open versus closed surgical techniques exist. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of clinical, surgical and audiometric data of patients with primary cholesteatoma surgery operated between 2010 and 2020, and a mobile stapes and one-stage ossicular reconstruction. Pre- and post-operative audiograms were compared for the different surgical groups, mainly focusing on postoperative air-bone gap. Mastoid pneumatization and ventilation was also considered. RESULTS: The mean postoperative air-bone gap (0.5-4 kHz) of the 126 included patients was 20 dB. Hearing after type III tympanoplasty (26 dB) was worse than incus interposition (19 dB) and stapes augmentation (20 dB). Hearing after an open (23 dB) versus closed (19 dB) surgical technique was significantly different. No improvement in air-bone gap was observed for the higher frequencies. CONCLUSION: A residual postoperative air-bone gap should be considered after primary cholesteatoma surgery with intact and mobile stapes. Incus interposition in closed cavity operation is the optimal situation, but open cavity surgery should not be avoided because of hearing. Extent of the disease is prioritized and poorer ventilation before and after surgery may affect postoperative hearing.

Comparison of perichondrium-cartilage button technique and traditional over-underlay technique for repairing large perforations.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to compare the operation time, graft outcomes and complications between the endoscopic cartilage-perichondrium button technique and over-under technique for repairing large perforations. METHODS: A total of 52 chronic large perforations were randomly allocated to receive treatment using the endoscopic cartilage-perichondrium button technique (n = 26) or over-under technique (n = 26). The graft outcomes, mean operation time and post-operative complications were compared between the two groups at 12 months. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 52 patients with unilateral chronic large perforations. All patients completed 12 months of follow up. The mean operation time was 32.3 ± 4.2 minutes in the button technique group and 51.6 ± 2.8 minutes in the over-underlay technique group (p < 0.01). The graft success rate at 12 months was 92.3 per cent (24 out of 26) in the button technique group and 96.2 per cent (25 out of 26) in the over-underlay group (p = 0.552). CONCLUSION: The endoscopic cartilage-perichondrium button technique had similar graft success rates and hearing outcomes for large chronic perforations to the over-under technique, but significantly shortened the mean operation time.

The novel retro-conchal approach for middle ear surgeries: Our experience in 196 patients.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to describe a new proposed retro-conchal approach for middle ear surgery and to evaluate its advantages and postoperative impact. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective case-series study was held at a tertiary university hospital from March 2008 to April 2022. We included 196 adult patients who were candidates for middle ear surgery because of chronic otitis media. The retro-conchal approach entailed a skin incision on the medial conchal surface 1 cm anterior to the auricular sulcus. It allowed the harvesting of the required size of conchal cartilage and temporalis fascia through the same incision with access into the middle ear and complete exposure to the mastoid process. In addition, we evaluated the use of this approach in tympanoplasty, including cholesteatoma surgeries with at least one-year postoperative follow-up. RESULT: The long-term follow-up (22.9 ±â€¯6.37 months) revealed that most operated cases (89%) did not develop postoperative sequelae related to this approach. On the other hand, 22 patients (11%) developed adverse outcomes, with a statistically significant difference regarding adverse outcomes as the P-value <0.001. CONCLUSION: According to our experience with a relatively large number of patients, the retro-conchal technique was practical for various middle ear surgeries. It allowed optimal access to different middle ear areas and obtaining large-sized conchal cartilage and temporalis fascia (if needed) through the same incision without needing extra surgical steps. In addition, it was a safe maneuver without significant adverse outcomes in the long-term follow-up.

Endoscopic Versus Microscopic Type I Tympanoplasty: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing the clinical outcomes after endoscopic and microscopic type I tympanoplasty. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trials, two-arm prospective studies, and retrospective studies were included. SETTING: Medline, Cochrane, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases were searched until March 1, 2022 using the combinations of search terms: "endoscopic," "microscopic," and "tympanoplasty." METHODS: Two independent reviewers utilized the abovementioned search strategy to identify eligible studies. If any uncertainty existed regarding eligibility, a third reviewer was consulted. Primary outcome measures were graft success rate, air-bone gap (ABG) improvement, and operative time. Secondary outcomes were the rate of need for canalplasty, the proportion of self-rated excellent cosmetic results, and pain visual analog scale (VAS). RESULTS: Forty-three studies enrolled a total of 3712 patients who were undergoing type I tympanoplasty and were finally included. The pooled result showed endoscopic approach was significantly associated with shorter operative time (difference in means: -20.021, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -31.431 to -8.611), less need for canalplasty (odds ratio [OR]: 0.065, 95% CI: 0.026-0.164), more self-rated excellent cosmetic results (OR: 87.323, 95% CI: 26.750-285.063), and lower pain VAS (difference in means: -2.513, 95% CI: -4.737 to -0.228). No significant differences in graft success rate or ABG were observed between the two procedures. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic type I tympanoplasty provides a similar graft success rate, improvement in ABG, and reperforation rate to microscopic tympanoplasty with a shorter operative time, better self-rated cosmetic results, and less pain. Unless contraindicated, the endoscopic approach should be the procedure of choice in type I tympanoplasty.

Audiological Outcomes of Type 1 Tympanoplasty Using Conchal Cartilage and Temporalis Fascia.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of conchal cartilage graft and temporalis fascia graft in Type 1 tympanoplasty in terms of graft uptake and hearing improvement. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Otolaryngology, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan, from January 2020 till December 2022. METHODOLOGY: Using quota sampling, 2 groups were made i.e. conchal cartilage group (Group A) and temporalis fascia group (Group B). Total of 124 records were selected with 62 records from each group. Graft uptake rate and audiological outcomes were compared between the groups. Moreover, postoperative complication rate was also noted for each group. RESULTS: The graft uptake rates between Group A and B at 3rd month were compared postoperatively (98.39%, 93.55%, p=0.36). The difference between preoperative mean air-bone gap (ABG, 28.05 ± 2.19dB, 28.68 ± 2.38 dB, p=0.12) and postoperative mean ABG (13.35 ± 3.45, 14.47 ± 3.29, p=0.69) was also statistically not significant. However, the differences regarding audiological success rate between cartilage and fascia groups (96.77%, 82.25%, p=0.01) and average operating time (51.8 ± 2.1 vs. 43.5 ± 3.2 minutes, p=0.009) were significantly different. CONCLUSION: In chronic otitis media (COM) patients with subtotal perforations, endoscopic tympanoplasty using conchal cartilage or temporalis fascia as graft yielded comparable outcomes in terms of graft uptake, hearing improvement, and postoperative complications. However, using conchal cartilage, the procedure showed better audiological success rate. With temporalis fascia as graft, the procedure was performed in a shorter time. KEY WORDS: Chronic otitis media, Tympanoplasty, Temporalis fascia, Conchal cartilage, Subtotal perforation.

Postoperative Outcomes After Tympanoplasty for Active Versus Inactive Otitis Media Patients With Tympanic Membrane Perforation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To compare postoperative tympanoplasty outcomes between active versus inactive otitis media (OM) patients with tympanic membrane perforation. DATABASES REVIEWED: Medline via PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Google Scholar for studies published from inception to March 1, 2023. METHODS: Studies of 15- to 60-year-old patients undergoing microscopic/endoscopic myringoplasty using underlay/overlay technique with reported postoperative mean hearing gain and graft uptake were included. Studies requiring simultaneous surgical procedures, reporting patients with comorbidities and with non-English full text articles were excluded. Articles were independently screened by two researchers with data extracted according to a predetermined proforma in Microsoft Excel. Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment was used for risk of bias evaluation of randomized studies and Risk of Bias in Nonrandomized Studies of Interventions for nonrandomized studies. Similar studies were pooled for meta-analysis using the inverse variance random effects model to calculate the mean difference and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) for mean hearing gain and DerSimonian and Laird random effects model for graft uptake. RESULTS: Thirty-three studies comprising 2,373 patients met the inclusion/exclusion criteria, seven were pooled for meta-analysis. Included articles showed inactive OM patients have higher average postoperative mean hearing gain of 10.84 dB and graft uptake of 88.7% compared to active OM patients (9.15 dB and 84.2%). Meta-analysis of mean hearing gain (MD, -0.76 dB; 95% CI, -2.11 to 0.60; p = 0.27, moderate certainty) and graft uptake (OD, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.34-1.09; p = 0.10, moderate certainty) have an overall p value >0.05. CONCLUSION: There were no statistically significant differences in postoperative mean hearing gain and graft uptake between active and inactive OM patients undergoing tympanoplasty. Hence, tympanoplasty procedures should not be postponed solely because of patients' preoperative ear discharge status.

Transcanal Endoscopic Management of Middle Ear Paragangliomas.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and audiological outcomes of transcanal endoscopic resection of middle ear paragangliomas. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective multicenter study. SETTING: Tertiary referral center and private otology clinic. PATIENTS: Patients who underwent transcanal endoscopic surgery between January 2015 and September 2020. INTERVENTIONS: Transcanal endocope-assisted resection of middle ear paragangliomas. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic data. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients (2 men, 21 women) with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of 50.5 (11.8) years and stage 1 or 2 disease were included in the study. The mean follow-up time was 2.7 years (range, 1-5 yr). Preoperatively, the mean (SD) air-conduction threshold was 33.8 (17.9) dB, and the mean (SD) air-bone gap was 13.1 (13.9) dB. Postoperatively, the mean (SD) air-conduction threshold was 25.7 (10.2) dB, the mean (SD) air-bone gap was 6.3 (6.1) dB. The mean (SD) hospital stay was 27.7 (9.9) hours. No tumor regrowth was detected on magnetic resonance imaging during postoperative follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic transcanal tumor resection is effective and feasible in the treatment of stage 1 and 2 tumors and is associated with short operative time, low risk of perioperative and postoperative complications, and rapid discharge.

Tympanoplasty Healing Outcomes With Use of Postoperative Otic Quinolones.

OBJECTIVE: Tympanoplasty usually results in tympanic membrane perforation (TMP) closure, but healing may be suboptimal (e.g., excess scarring). Factors that have been linked to impaired TM healing have become widely adopted (especially, postoperative use of quinolone ear drops). The aim of this study is to assess the frequency of suboptimal tympanoplasty healing with the use of otic quinolones postoperatively. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Tertiary care facility. PATIENTS: One hundred patients undergoing tympanoplasty for TMP. INTERVENTIONS: Tympanoplasty +/- canalplasty. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Healing complications (e.g., granulation tissue, TMP, myringitis, bone exposure, lateralization, anterior blunting, medial canal fibrosis, and canal stenosis) and hearing loss. METHODS: Charts were reviewed for postoperative healing issues and hearing outcomes at 1 to 2 years postoperatively. RESULTS: TMP closure was found in 93.2%, but 34.2% had healing issues at 1 to 2 years postoperatively, with 20.6% having adverse healing outcomes (perforation (6.9%), granulation tissue (6.9%), medial fibrosis (4.1%), and myringitis, bone exposure, and webbing (all 1.4%). Another 13.7% had notable postoperative issues, such as protracted otorrhea (11.0%), otitis externa (9.6%), otitis media (1.4%), and atelectasis (2.7%). No medical, surgical, or patient factors impacted outcomes. Average air-bone gap at 1 to 2 years did not differ between patients with and without healing issues and patients with other postoperative issues ( p = 0.5). CONCLUSIONS: Suboptimal healing is common after tympanoplasty. There may be significant opportunity to improve post-tympanoplasty healing beyond improving the TMP closure rate.