As most open abdominal surgeries are replaced by minimally invasive laparoscopic surgeries, similarly commonly done ear surgeries by microscope are now possible by minimally invasive endoscopic ear surgeries.
With the advancement in technology, medical surgical procedures are becoming minimally invasive, same holds true in ear surgeries. As previously popular open abdominal surgeries are replaced by minimally invasive laparoscopic surgeries, similarly, most of the ear surgeries commonly done by microscope are now possible by minimally invasive endoscopic ear surgeries.
Surgeries requiring only mesotympanum handling like grommet insertion, fat myringoplasty, tympanoplasties with or without ossicular reconstruction, Partial ossicular chain prosthesis (PORP)/ Total ossicular chain prosthesis(TORP) placement & stapes surgeries etc. can be performed by expert endoscopic ear surgeon.
In endoscopic ear surgery no postauricular incision is required, whereas in conventional microscopic approach skin incision is required, hence no scar & lesser chances of complications like infection, change of appearance of pinna, fistula & infections etc. Limited attic disease is easily addressed by endoscopic approach as the external auditory canal is in the axis of the attic region. Moreover, cholesteatoma is tympanic cavity disease which spreads to the mastoid cavity. People are becoming health conscious & come for ENT consultation in the earlier stage which further decrease the need of conventional postauricular approach as the disease is well within the boundaries of the tympanic cavity.
Doing cortical mastoidectomy removing healthy cortical bone for access is not required in early stages well supported by HRCT of the temporal bone. In advance disease where the disease has spread to mastoid cavity proper or in surgeries where wide view & removal of bone is required like massive advance cholesteatoma & facial nerve decompression etc, the hybrid technique is advocated where both microscope & endoscope are used.