This article dwells in depth about the role of otoendoscopy 1 in diagnosis of middle ear disorders. Middle ear diseases were diagnosed by performing routine otomicroscopic examination using an operating microscope. With the advent of nasal endoscopes, and the steep learning curve of one handed manipulation of surgical instruments conquered, otolaryngologists have started using endoscopes to diagnose middle ear disorders. This article discusses the authors experience in otoendoscopy.

Myringoplasty is commonly done under microscopy. This article discusses the experience of the authors in performing myringoplasty using endoscope. Endoscope is being widely used to perform various surgeries. Endoscopes are very useful while operating in cavities. In this study authors report their results of 50 myringoplasties performed using endoscope. This article reveals that results of myringoplasty performed using endoscope are more or less similar to that of myringoplasty performed using microscope .

Stapedecomy traditionally is performed using operating microscope. Even though it is a time tested procedure, it had its own draw backs. In patients with excessive bony overhang it would be difficult to access the middle ear cavity using operating microscope. Using Endoscope authors were able to circumvent these difficulties. Endoscopic examination of middle ear cavity was in vogue since 1992. 10 Advantages of using endoscope include: Excellent exposure, visualization of entire middle ear cavity with ease, excellent crystal clear images. All the steps of stapedectomy could easily be performed using endoscope. Only flip side being the use of only one hand for the entire procedure as the non dominant hand will be holding the endoscope.

Tympano mastoidectomy is usually performed using operating microscope. This study reports a case series of tympanomastoidectomy which was performed using an endoscope. Endoscopic Tympanomastoidectomy for atticoantral type of CSOM is an excellent technique for complete removal of cholesteatoma especially from inaccessible areas of middle ear cleft including facial recess, sinustympani Transmeatal removal of disease from mastoid antrum and even tip cells is possible with endoscopes. Preservation of as much of normal mucosa of the middle ear cleft is possible with this technique, which promotes early reaeration of the mastoid cavity leading to better hearing outcome. Soft wall reconstruction has distinctive advantage of short additional time for reconstruction procedures, restoration of self cleaning EAC, early post operative epithelisation of tympanic membrane and the EAC. Limitation of endoscopic technique: The endoscopic technique of tympanomastoidectomy with softwall reconstruction is not possible in cases with large mastoid cavity and in ears where a thin lateral rim of bony meatal wall (that can support soft wall) is retained, because of extensive disease. Like Functional Endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) for nose, Endoscopes have changed the treatment concept of atticoantral disease, with complete removal of the disease and preservation of normal mucosa, that restores the normal physiology of middle ear cleft. This has led to the development of new concept of Functional Endoscopic Ear Surgery (FEES) for atticoantral type of CSOM.

Grommet insertion the commonest surgical procedure next only to circumcision is usually performed using an operating microscope 1. Authors have been using 4 mm 0 degree nasal endoscopes to perform this procedure during the last 5 years. This is a report of their experience in using endoscope inlieu of microscope in performing this surgery. This study makes a comparative analysis of Endoscopic Grommet insertion viz a viz Microscopic Grommet insertion. For this comparative analysis one year (2009) data base of Government Stanley Medical College Chennai India was used. This study reveals that Endoscopic Grommet insertion compared favorably with Microscopic Grommet insertion in all aspects with certain obvious advantages.