Our Summary
This study compared two types of ear surgery used to treat long-term middle ear infections: transcanal endoscopic ear surgery (TEES) and microscopic ear surgery (MES). The researchers looked at cases from 2011 to 2016 where patients had a specific type of ear drum repair surgery (type I tympanoplasty). They only included patients with certain criteria, such as a dry ear for at least a month and an intact middle ear bone chain.
The researchers found that the success rate of the graft (the piece of tissue used to repair the ear drum) was slightly higher in the TEES group compared to the MES group, but the difference was not statistically significant. Both types of surgery also resulted in similar improvements in hearing. However, the TEES group had a slightly better average hearing gain six months after surgery and required less time in surgery. Patients who had the MES also had a higher rate of wound problems such as ear pain and numbness around the ears.
In conclusion, the study suggests that TEES could be a more efficient and effective method for this type of ear surgery.
FAQs
- What types of ear surgeries were compared in this study?
- What criteria were required for patients to be included in this study?
- What were the differences in results between the transcanal endoscopic ear surgery (TEES) and microscopic ear surgery (MES)?
Doctor’s Tip
One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about tympanoplasty is to consider transcanal endoscopic ear surgery (TEES) as it may offer a slightly higher success rate of the graft and better hearing outcomes compared to traditional microscopic ear surgery (MES). Additionally, TEES may result in less time in surgery and lower rates of post-operative complications. It is important to discuss all options with your doctor to determine the best approach for your specific case.
Suitable For
Patients who are typically recommended tympanoplasty include those with long-term middle ear infections, a dry ear for at least a month, and an intact middle ear bone chain. These patients may have issues with their ear drum that require repair in order to improve hearing and prevent further complications.
Timeline
Before tympanoplasty:
- Patient experiences long-term middle ear infections
- Patient undergoes evaluation to determine eligibility for surgery, including criteria such as a dry ear for at least a month and intact middle ear bone chain
- Surgical team decides on the type of ear drum repair surgery (TEES or MES)
- Patient prepares for surgery, which may include pre-operative appointments and tests
After tympanoplasty:
- Patient undergoes tympanoplasty surgery
- Patient may experience some pain and discomfort in the ear following surgery
- Patient is monitored for any complications or issues with the graft
- Patient undergoes follow-up appointments to assess healing and hearing improvement
- Patient may experience improvements in hearing after surgery
- Long-term follow-up is conducted to assess the success of the surgery and any potential long-term effects
What to Ask Your Doctor
- What is tympanoplasty and why do I need it?
- What are the potential risks and complications of tympanoplasty?
- What is the success rate of tympanoplasty in general, and specifically for my case?
- How long is the recovery time after tympanoplasty?
- Will I need any follow-up appointments or additional treatments after the surgery?
- Are there any lifestyle changes I need to make before or after the surgery?
- What type of anesthesia will be used during the surgery?
- How experienced are you in performing tympanoplasty procedures?
- Are there any alternatives to tympanoplasty that I should consider?
- Can you explain the differences between transcanal endoscopic ear surgery (TEES) and microscopic ear surgery (MES) for tympanoplasty, and why one may be recommended over the other for my case?
Reference
Authors: Yang Q, Wang B, Zhang J, Liu H, Xu M, Zhang W. Journal: Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2022 Oct;279(10):4801-4807. doi: 10.1007/s00405-022-07273-2. Epub 2022 Feb 5. PMID: 35122510