Surgical Outcomes of Severe Tympanosclerosis Under Continuous Irrigation in Total Endoscopic Ear Surgery

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the efficacy of tympanoplasty for severe tympanosclerosis under the continuous irrigation mode.

Study design: Retrospective.

Setting: First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University.

Patients: Patients with severe tympanosclerosis involving critical anatomic structures (eg, stapes footplate, facial nerve canal, vestibular window niche).

Interventions: Tympanoplasty with continuous irrigation mode. Saline irrigation to reduce bleeding, improve surgical continuity, and shorten operative time. Removal of calcified lesions and ossicular chain reconstruction.

Main outcome measures: Surgical efficacy (assessed by completeness of lesion removal and hearing improvement), operative time, frequency of endoscope withdrawal for cleaning, complication rates (including facial paralysis, vertigo, sensorineural hearing loss, and taste disturbances), tympanic membrane healing status, chorda tympani preservation rate, and feasibility in overcoming traditional limitations (eg, single-handed operation, bone drilling difficulties).

Results: Reduced intraoperative bleeding. Improved procedural continuity. Shortened operative time. Enhanced feasibility for complex lesions (eg, near facial nerve). Postoperative outcomes improved with reduced complication rates.

Conclusions: The continuous irrigation mode represents a safer and more effective advancement in tympanosclerosis surgery, addressing limitations of conventional endoscopy by improving efficiency and reducing complications. Further clinical validation is needed.

Keywords: Continuous irrigation mode; Endoscopic ear surgery; Surgical treatment; Tympanosclerosis.