Abstract

Objective
In this study, we aimed to investigate the outcomes of endoscopic and microscopic type 1 tympanoplasty in pediatric patients.
Materials and Methods
134 pediatric patients were included in this retrospective study. The outcomes of 138 ears of 134 pediatric patients with type 1 tympanoplasty were evaluated. Tympanoplasty was performed on four patients on both ears. The age range of the patients is between 7 and 16 years. The patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical technique used. Group 1 included patients who underwent type 1 tympanoplasty using endoscopic approach (n:58), and group 2 patients who underwent microscopic type 1 tympanoplasty (n:80). The tympanic membrane was repaired using cartilage graft obtained from tragus cartilage in all patients. The Outcomes (hearing gain, graft success, operation time etc.) of the patients in both groups were analyzed.
Results
In both groups, postoperative air-bone gap (ABG) was statistically lower than preoperative ABG. The pre-operative ABG of group 1 and group 2 were compared, no significant result was found. Likewise, groups 1 and 2 postoperative ABG were compared, no significant result was found. The durations of both surgical techniques were compared, it was found that the operation duration in group 1 was statistically shorter than the operation duration in group 2. The graft success rates of group 1 and group 2 were 94.55% and 94.74%, respectively; There is no statistically significant difference between the results. (P = 0.309).
Conclusion
As in adults, type 1 tympanoplasty can be safely performed in children with an endoscopic approach. Its most important advantage is better visualization of the entire tympanic membrane in patients with narrow external auditory canal. Although hearing gains found to be similar to the microscopic approach, less operation duration, and postoperative care time are seem to be superior to the microscopic approach.

Key words: Endoscopic ear surgery; microscopic ear surgery; chronic otitis media; pediatric; tympanoplasty