Endoscopic ear surgery in middle ear cholesteatoma

Objective

Endoscope has been used as diagnostic tool for recidivism and as an adjunct to microscopic technique in the management of cholesteatoma. At present transcanal endoscopic ear surgery (TEES) is being used as a minimally invasive alternative for microscopic approach. We aim to evaluate the feasibility, structural, functional and quality of life outcomes of endoscopic technique in middle ear cholesteatoma.

Method

This prospective study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital from January 2017 to January 2018 including 32 adult patients who were treated by TEES for middle ear cholesteatoma. Feasibility of endoscopic technique was assessed by the conversion rates, visualization of middle ear structures and complications. Structural outcomes were evaluated in terms of graft uptake at the third month follow-up and presence of residual or recurrent disease. Functional outcomes were evaluated in terms of post-operative air-bone gap closure at third month follow-up. Patient outcomes in terms of post-operative pain, cosmetic score, day of return to daily activities and patient comfort scores were evaluated. The quality of life outcomes were evaluated using chronic ear survey (CES) and short form questionnaire −12 version 2 (SF-12V2) which are disease specific and general quality of life assessment tools respectively.

Result

Out of 32 patients, endoscopic intact canal wall mastoidectomy was done for 28 and endoscopic canal wall down mastoidectomy in 4 patients. One (3.1%) patient had to be converted to microscopic technique. Median follow-up period was 32.8 months (9–46 months). There were no post-operative complications in any of our patients. The mean middle ear structural visibility index score was 8.4 ± 1.4 with the use of zero-degree endoscope. Graft uptake rate at third month follow-up was 100%. Two (6.3%) patients had recurrent disease at 6 months follow-up and were treated by revision endoscopic surgery. The air conduction (51.3 ± 20.2 dB vs. 34.5 ± 20.4 dB, p < 0.001), and air-bone gap (33.5 ± 11.1 dB vs. 16.9 ± 11.8 dB, p < 0.001) has been significantly improved. The mean pain score at 0 hours, 6 hours and 24 hours after surgery were 2.5/10, 1.6/10 and 0.75/10 respectively. At the discharge, the mean patient comfort score was 9.3 ± 0.6 out of 10. Mean cosmetic score was 9.3 ± 0.5 at the third month follow-up. There was significant post-operative improvement in the sub-scale and total scores of CES and SF-12V2.

Conclusion

Endoscopic approach to middle ear cholesteatoma is feasible and confers excellent structural, functional as well as patient related quality of life outcomes.