Abstract:ObjectiveTo explore the feasibility, surgical technique and therapeutic effect of transcanal endotoscopic management for epitympanic cholesteatoma.MethodsClinical data of 35 patients (35 ears) undergoing transcanal endotoscopic resection of epitympanic cholesteatoma in Central Hospital of Xuzhou City from Jan 2014 to Jan 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. Of them, 20 were male and 15 were female, age ranged from 22 to 66 years old with an average of 42.8. Their illness courses were 2 to 20 months, with an average of 10 months. All the patients received transcanal endotoscopic removal of epitympanic cholesteaoma under general anesthesia. Of them, attic reconstruction was applied to 12 cases, and 10 received reconstruction of ossicular chain with partial ossicular replacement prosthesis (PORP) due to erosion of the ossicular chain.ResultsComplete removal of epitympanic cholesteatoma was achieved in all 35 cases without postoperative complications such as facial nerve paralysis, cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea. All patients had been followed up for at least one year postoperatively. Postoperative followup revealed intact tympanic membrane with healed graft. Postoperative otoscopy or computerized tomography (CT) showed no recurrence of cholesteatoma. The postoperative hearing got improved in 22 (62.8%), kept unchanged in 10 (28.6%), and was declined in 3 (8.6%). The preoperative mean air conduction threshold (0.5,1,2,4 kHz) was (43.64±8.38)dB while the postoperative one was (29.234±8.38) dB, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The preoperative mean airbone gap was (28.27±5.94)dB, and the postoperative one was (15.27±6.74)dB. The difference was also statistically significant (P<0.05).ConclusionWith advantages of low recurrence rate and significant improvement of hearing, transcanal endotoscopic surgery is effective for the management of epitympanic cholesteatoma.