Endoscopic Versus Microscopic Tympanoplasty: A Systematic Review and Metanalysis.

OBJECTIVE

Endoscopic ear surgery is no longer a promising technique, but a well-established one. This study aims to compare endoscopic and microscopic tympanoplasty based on current literature evidence, in terms of their efficacy and safety characteristics.

DATA SOURCES

We conducted a systematic literature search of four medical databases (Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov), focusing on randomized controlled or observational studies comparing microscopic to endoscopic tympanoplasty.

REVIEW METHODS

Data related to the efficacy and safety of each technique were extracted. Outcome data were summarized using pooled mean differences or pooled odds ratio along with their 95% confidence intervals. The risk of bias was estimated, by using the ROBINS-I and RoB-II assessment tools, while the overall quality of evidence was evaluated according to the GRADE working group.

RESULTS

Thirty-three studies, with 2646 patients in total, were included in the meta-analysis. Success rate was evaluated by estimating tympanic graft failure (pooled mean difference:-0.23; 95% CI: -0.61, 0.14, I = 33.42%), and air-bone gap improvement (pooled mean difference:-0.05; 95% CI:-0.23, 0.13, I = 52.69%), resulting in comparable outcomes for the two techniques. A statistically significant difference favoring the endoscopic technique was detected regarding postoperative wound infection (OR: -1.72; 95% CI: -3.39, -0.04, I = 0%), dysgeusia (OR: -1.47; 95% CI: -2.47, -0.47, I = 0%), otitis externa development (OR: -1.96; 95% CI: -3.23, -0.69, I = 0%), auricular numbness (OR: -2.56; 95% CI: -3.93, -1.19, I = 0%), as well as surgical duration (OR: -1.86; 95% CI: -2.70, -1.02, I = 43.95%), when compared to the postauricular microscopic approach.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic tympanoplasty is an innovative alternative to the microscopic technique, resulting in commensurate outcomes regarding success rate. Furthermore, it offers superior results concerning postoperative complications, while it presents a significant reduction in the duration of surgery, mainly when it is compared to the postauricular microscopic approach.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

NA Laryngoscope, 134:3466-3476, 2024.