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Rationale for Endoscopic Ear Surgery

In clear contrast to the impact of the introduction of endoscope in most surgical disciplines, the practice of ear surgery has changed little and it continues to be the domain for the microscope. Depending on the task at hand, there are many distinctions that would make the endoscope a better instrument than the microscope and vice versa. We all need to master working with both instruments to better understand and treat pathologies of the ear. The objective of this group and this web site is to neutralize these longstanding biases toward the microscope and to get all of us to use the best instrument in the best way possible to help our patients.

The ability to place the surgeons eyes within the ear cavity using angled endoscopes, allows the operator a contextual understanding of the anatomy that is difficult to match using the microscope.  The disease/ anatomical interface is better appreciated.  This improved anatomical understanding, in turn provides confidence in surgical procedures both endoscopically and microscopically.

When compared to the microscope, two distinct advantages are present with the endoscope.

  1. The Objective lens is placed within the ear canal or middle ear, which allows for an all-encompassing contextual view of the disease/ anatomy interface.  In contrast, the traditional microscopic method relies on removal of significant amounts of normal bone and soft tissue, often with removal of intact structures to fully observe the disease extent.
  2. The live image used by the surgeon is the same one that everyone else in the operating room is observing. This simultaneous viewing significantly increases engagement, teaching opportunities and interest in the surgical procedure from all present in the OR.
enscopic ear surgery field of view

The use of the endoscope enables the surgeon to visualize past the shaft of larger surgical instruments, such as drills and curettes, and allows better visualization of anatomical structures.

 

To view the up to date research on Endoscopic Ear Surgery, please visit the link below.

RSS endoscopy ear

  • Diagnosis and management of allergic rhinitis: An Indian expert consensus by otorhinolaryngologists December 5, 2025
    CONCLUSION: This expert consensus will help physicians in their clinical practice and complement effective diagnosis and management of AR.
    Mohan Kameswaran
  • Application of a new super-micro flap in endoscopic tympanoplasty December 3, 2025
    Objective:To introduce a new design of super-micro flap for endoscopic ear surgery, and to evaluate the application effect of super-micro flap in endoscopic tympanoplasty. Methods:Between January, 2023 and March, 2024, 58 patients（64 ears） with tympanosclerosis underwent tympanoplasty with super-micro flap. Continuous irrigating mode endoscopic ear surgery（CIM-EES） was used to complete type Ⅱ or Ⅲ tympanoplasty […]
    Hua Liao
  • Endoscopic staged surgery for stage Ⅲ external auditory canal cholesteatoma: an efficacy analysis December 3, 2025
    Objective:This study aims to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of staged endoscopic surgery for Shin-Ⅲ stage external auditory canal cholesteatoma. Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 25 patients diagnosed with Shin-Ⅲ cholesteatoma of the external auditory canal, who were admitted to the Otology Center of the First People's Hospital of Foshan City […]
    Rilei He
  • Diagnostic value of high-resolution temporal bone CT combined with DW-MRI fusion technology in middle ear cholesteatoma December 3, 2025
    Objective:To explore the application value of high-resolution temporal bone CT and DW-MRI fusion technology in achieving precise diagnosis and anatomical localization of middle ear cholesteatoma during endoscopic surgery. Methods:Eighteen patients initially diagnosed with middle ear cholesteatoma in the Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, from January to June 2024 were […]
    Qimei Yang
  • Risk factors of wet ear and its impact on surgical outcomes of endoscopic type tympanoplasty December 3, 2025
    Objective:To investigate the risk factors of wet ear status and its impact on the efficacy of endoscopic type Ⅰ tympanoplasty. Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted at the Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army（PLA）Air Force Medical University, on 160 ears that underwent endoscopic type Ⅰ tympanoplasty; […]
    Zhengru Zhu
  • Endoscopic trans-tympanic eustachian tube plug implantation surgery December 3, 2025
    Patulous eustachian tube（PET） is an otolaryngological disorder caused by various factors, characterized by the loss of normal closure function of the eustachian tube in a resting state, resulting in persistent patency. Surgical treatment is recognized as an effective method for the management of refractory PET, but the surgical approaches for PET are diverse, with therapeutic […]
    Le Xie
  • Endoscopic transcanal labyrinthectomy for intractable Meniere's disease: first experience December 3, 2025
    Objective:To describe a novel approach for intractable Meniere's disease exclusively through a transcanal endoscopic ear surgery（TEES）. Methods:This retrospective chart review included patients with intractable Menière's disease who underwent endoscopic transcanal labyrinthectomy in the Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Guangxi Hospital Division, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, between February 2023 and October 2024. […]
    Tao Wang
  • Unusual Osteogenesis of Titanium and Porous Polyethylene Orbital Floor Mesh Following Orbital Fracture Repair: A Case Report December 1, 2025
    Orbital floor implants are commonly used to repair fractures, but complications such as infection, diplopia, or implant misplacement may develop. We describe a 68 year-old male presenting with chronic orbital pain and purulent discharge many years after undergoing repair of an orbital floor fracture with a titanium and porous polyethylene implant. Imaging and surgical findings […]
    Eugene Oh
  • Imaging Examination of a Three-Year Follow-up of Cartilage Underlay Myringoplasty with Preserving Perforation Margins for Repairing Small- to Medium-Size Perforation November 29, 2025
    ImportanceTrimming perforation margins (TFMs) is a classic procedure of myringoplasty.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term graft outcomes and iatrogenic cholesteatoma of endoscopic cartilage myringoplasty with preserving perforation margins (PFMs) for repairing small- to medium-size perforation.Study designProspective semi-randomly control study.SettingTertiary university hospital.ParticipantsPatients with chronic small- to medium-size perforations.InterventionTFM...
    Xuefei Ye
  • Endoscopic Control of Hard-to-Access Sites During Microscopic Cholesteatoma Surgery November 18, 2025
    CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative endoscopic surveillance helps uncovering hidden cholesteatoma mass during routine microscopic surgery and thus offers an effective control of residual disease in these areas during a medium-term follow-up.
    Borbála Körmendy