title: Myringotomy and ventilation tube insertion with endoscopic or microscopic technique in adults: a pilot study.
abstract: The purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility of endoscopic-assisted myringotomy and ventilation tube insertion in adults affected by chronic otitis media with effusion, comparing the outcomes of this approach with those obtained with the traditional microscopic technique. Twenty-four patients were enrolled in this trial and alternately assigned to 2 groups of 12 subjects each. In group A, patients underwent myringotomy and ventilation tube insertion under endoscopic view, whereas in group B, the same procedure was performed traditionally using a microscope. All cases were evaluated 1 week after surgery and then monthly until tube extrusion. Type A tympanogram was achieved in 10 of 13 ears in both groups (76.92%). No significant difference in operative times or complication rates was observed (P > .05). Endoscopic technique could be a viable alternative to the microscopic approach for myringotomy and ventilation tube positioning in adults affected by chronic otitis media with effusion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Biotechnologies and Science, ENT Section, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy salvomartello@live.it.
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Martellucci
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Biotechnologies and Science, ENT Section, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pagliuca
authors.affiliation: Department of Sensorial Organs, ENT Section, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Vincentiis
authors.affiliation: Department of Sensorial Organs, ENT Section and Department of Surgical Science, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Armando
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Virgilio
authors.affiliation: Department of Sensorial Organs, ENT Section, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fusconi
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Biotechnologies and Science, ENT Section, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Camilla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gallipoli
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Biotechnologies and Science, ENT Section, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rosato
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Biotechnologies and Science, ENT Section, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gallo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008876:Middle Ear Ventilation / Q000379:methods*; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000601:surgery*; D013506:Otologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: endoscopic ear surgery; myringotomy; pilot study; ventilation tube