A Comparative Study of Endoscopic and Microscopic Approach Type 1 Tympanoplasty for Simple Chronic Otitis Media.

OBJECTIVE: Tympanoplasty is a common surgery for chronic otitis media. We analyzed the results of endoscopic and microscopic approaches for type 1 tympanoplasty in patients with simple chronic otitis media.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the records of 95 patients (100 ears) who underwent type 1 tympanoplasty from 2011 to 2014. Group 1 underwent tympanoplasty with a microscopic approach (50 ears), and Group 2 underwent tympanoplasty with an endoscopic approach (50 ears). The epidemiological profiles and postoperative results, including hearing gain, duration of surgery, perioperative nausea or vomiting, and graft success rate, were reviewed.

RESULTS: The epidemiological profiles and preoperative hearing status were similar in both groups. Postoperatively, both groups had equal improvements in hearing and air-bone gap as well as equal perforation rates. However, the endoscopic group suffered less perioperative nausea or vomiting and had a shorter operative time.

CONCLUSION: The endoscopic approach for tympanoplasty offers superior visualization and shorter operative time than conventional surgery, in addition to equal hearing outcomes and perforation rates. Furthermore, observations of fewer tissue injuries, better cosmetic outcomes, and lesser perioperative nausea and vomiting suggest that the endoscopic approach is a better choice for surgery.