Exploratory Tympanotomy: Indications and operative findings

Abstract

Objectives: Review the main indications and intraoperative findings in patients undergoing exploratory tympanotomy.

Study design: Observational, retrospective, longitudinal study

Material and methods: All patients who underwent exploratory tympanotomy, in our institution, from 2015 to 2019 were included. Patients with pathologic findings at otoscopy were excluded.

Results: A total of 45 patients underwent unilateral exploratory tympanotomy. Of these, 19 were excluded due to pathologic findings in otoscopy. The mean age was 38,26 years (range 5-77 years). The main indication was conductive hearing loss (88%). Intraoperatively, the ossicular chain was fixed by adhesions (23%), followed by ossicular chain discontinuity (19%), otosclerosis (15%) and cholesteatoma (15%). There were no intra or postoperative complications.

Conclusions: Exploratory tympanotomy is a safe diagnostic technique, with added value, since it allows us to directly view the middle ear, obtain the correct diagnosis, and plan the surgical treatment.