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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 feed: endoscopy ear endoscopy ear

  • Oncocytic Papillary Cystadenoma in the Tubarial Gland: A Case Report and Literature Review October 31, 2026
    Oncocytic papillary cystadenoma is a rare, benign lesion primarily affecting the major and minor salivary glands of the head and neck. Occurrence in the nasopharynx is exceedingly rare. Herein, we describe an oncocytic papillary cystadenoma on a tubarial gland of the nasopharynx. The tubarial glands are conglomerates of predominantly mucous glands overlying the torus tubarius. […]
    Reuben P Powell
  • Deep Learning-Assisted Diagnosis of Middle Ear Diseases in Otoendoscopy Across Clinician Experience Levels: Retrospective Reader Study October 30, 2026
    CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that deep learning-based AI support substantially improves the diagnostic accuracy of middle ear diseases, particularly for less experienced clinicians. By narrowing the performance gap between trainees and experts, this system shows high potential as a valuable adjunct for clinical decision-making and medical education in otology.
    Se Eun Yi
  • Addressing unilateral lambdoid craniosynostosis using endoscopic suturectomy and barrel-stave osteotomies: surgical technique and literature review October 22, 2026
    CONCLUSIONS: Our method, endoscopic suturectomy and barrel-stave osteotomies on a single patient with unilateral lambdoid craniosynostosis, demonstrated safe and favorable outcomes. We believe the addition of barrel-stave osteotomies to suturectomy may yield superior clinical outcomes, compared to conventional endoscopic-assisted procedures with suturectomy alone. However, it is necessary to accumulate a larger number of cases and […]
    Sandi Lam
  • Endoscopic transcanal repair of temporomandibular joint herniation into the external auditory canal: literature review October 19, 2026
    Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) herniation into the external auditory canal is a rare condition associated with anterior canal wall defects, most commonly due to a patent foramen of Huschke, trauma, or infection. The clinical presentation is variable and often non-specific, which may lead to misdiagnosis. High-resolution computed tomography is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective surgical […]
    D M Dobrowolska
  • Environmental Exposures, Chronic Sinusitis, and Olfaction in People With Cystic Fibrosis October 18, 2026
    CONCLUSIONS: In adults with CF and CRS, higher long-term ambient ozone exposure was associated with greater sinonasal symptom burden and worse olfactory function. These findings suggest that ozone may be an environmental contributor to upper airway disease severity in this population and support further study in larger, adjusted analyses.
    Benton Tullis
  • Laryngeal Manifestations of Rheumatic Disease October 8, 2026
    Rheumatologic diseases are systemic, immune-mediated disorders that frequently involve the larynx, producing manifestations that range from subtle dysphonia to life-threatening airway obstruction. Laryngeal involvement may precede systemic disease, progress despite adequate systemic control, or be the sole presenting feature of active disease. Diagnosis relies on flexible laryngoscopy with disease-specific serology and biopsy when indicated. Corticosteroids, […]
    Peter S Giannaris
  • Silent danger behind the forehead: Pott's puffy tumour presenting without systemic symptoms October 7, 2026
    Pott's puffy tumour (PPT) is a rare complication of frontal sinusitis involving subperiosteal abscess and frontal bone osteomyelitis, often leading to serious intracranial sequelae. We report a case of a man in his 50s who presented with progressive, painless forehead swelling despite multiple antibiotic courses. Imaging confirmed bilateral subperiosteal collections and a right-sided epidural empyema. […]
    Ana Rita Rodrigues
  • A simple oral endotracheal intubation technique in rats using a modified 5-Fr vascular sheath and a commercially available ear-pick endoscope October 7, 2026
    Oral endotracheal intubation in rats is useful for cranial, thoracic, and survival experiments but remains technically demanding. We evaluated a simple method using a modified 5-Fr vascular sheath and a smartphone-connected ear-pick endoscope in 30 male Sprague-Dawley rats (8-12 weeks, 300-400 g). Under 3% isoflurane anesthesia and vecuronium bromide-induced neuromuscular blockade, the sheath was shortened […]
    Toru Yoshiura
  • Rare Migrated Fishbone Foreign Body in the Nasopharynx October 1, 2026
    Although impaction of the pharyngoesophageal fishbone represents a common otolaryngological emergency, migration of an ingested fish bone into the nasopharynx is an extremely rare clinical occurrence. We present a 57-year-old woman who developed acute odynophagia one hour after fish ingestion, accompanied by a single choking episode, in the absence of nausea or vomiting. The oropharyngeal […]
    Changqing Wang
  • EXPRESS: Modified transcanal perendoscopic myringotomy and septotomy technique for cats with otitis media - a retrospective study of 38 cats September 28, 2026
    ObjectivesThis study solely aims to describe a convenient minimally invasive technique for access to the ventromedial compartment of the middle ear in cats with polypoid or non-polypoid otitis media.MethodsPatients' records were retrospectively retrieved from cats with otic symptoms. Cats were included based on the presence of fluid/soft tissue within the tympanic cavity on CT imaging, […]
    Bas Nicolaas Wetzels