시험적 고실개방술의 임상 및 내시경의 의의

Background: Exploratory tympanotomy is a challenging surgical technique for otologic surgery. Despite this technique is quite easy, it is often impossible to get the accurate diagnosis with microscopic approach for the beginners. Otoendoscope is a good diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of hidden pathology of the middle ear. We used the otoendoscope for the exploratory tympanotomy in patients with conductive hearing loss. Methods: We analyzed 37 cases of exploratory tympanotomies for conductive hearing loss carried out by a single surgeon. Results: The most common operative diagnosis was otosclerosis (n=10, 27.2%). Hearing was improved with 26 cases out of 28 cases (92.9%) with endoscopic group) whereas 4 out of 9 cases (44.4%) improved with non-endoscope group. Conclusions: Otoendoscope might be very useful instrument for the accurate diagnosis and treatment in exploratory tympanotomy surgery for conductive hearing loss with intact tympanic membrane. (J Clinical Otolaryngol 2015;26:208–212)