Comparison of Endoscopic Tympanoplasty to Microscopic Tympanoplasty

Background: Tympanoplasty is a surgical procedure to repair tympanic membrane perforations, aiming to restore hearing and prevent recurrent infections. While microscopic tympanoplasty (MT) has been the conventional approach, endoscopic tympanoplasty (ET) offers a minimally invasive alternative. This study compares the outcomes of ET and MT to evaluate their efficacy and safety profiles. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on patients undergoing tympanoplasty at a tertiary care center between January 2020 and December 2022. Patients were divided into ET and MT groups. Outcome measures included operative time, graft success rate, postoperative pain, and hearing improvement assessed by pure-tone audiometry. Results: The ET group demonstrated a shorter operative time and reduced postoperative pain compared to the MT group. Both groups had similar graft success rates and significant hearing improvement postoperatively. Complication rates were low and comparable between the two techniques. Conclusion: Endoscopic tympanoplasty is a viable alternative to microscopic tympanoplasty, offering comparable success rates with added benefits of reduced operative time and postoperative discomfort. ET should be considered a preferred option for suitable candidates.