EVALUATING OUTCOMES OF TRANSCANAL ENDOSCOPIC ATTICOTOMY FOR THE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC OTITIS MEDIA WITH ATTIC RETRACTION POCKET IN CAN THO AND BAC LIEU GENERAL HOSPITAL, 2025-2026
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: Chronic otitis media with an epitympanic retraction pocket is a consequence of impaired middle ear ventilation and may progress to ossicular erosion and cholesteatoma formation. Therefore, timely evaluation and surgical intervention are necessary. Objectives: 1. To describe the clinical and paraclinical characteristics of chronic otitis media with epitympanic retraction pocket in Can Tho and Bac Lieu General Hospitals during 2025–2026. 2. To evaluate the initial outcomes in terms of dry ear status and hearing improvement after transcanal endoscopic atticotomy at these study sites during the same period. Materials and methods: A descriptive case series was conducted on 23 patients who underwent surgery at Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Can Tho Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, and Bac Lieu General Hospital from 2025 to 2026. The evaluated outcomes included lesion characteristics, surgical techniques, time to dry ear, and hearing changes based on air conduction, bone conduction, and the air–bone gap. Results: The mean age was 43.17 years, and females accounted for 56.5% of cases. The most common symptoms were hearing loss (87.0%), tinnitus (73.9%), and otorrhea (69.6%). According to the Vijayendra classification, grade III accounted for 60.9% and grade IV for 39.1%. Cholesteatoma was identified in 43.5% of cases. Three main surgical techniques were performed: Atticotomy, attic reconstruction, and minimal mastoidectomy. The mean postoperative time to dry ear was 6.0 ± 2.5 weeks. Among 11 patients with postoperative audiometric assessment, the mean air-conduction hearing threshold improved from 39.70 ± 12.02 dB to 27.75 ± 7.73 dB, while the air–bone gap decreased from 20.16 ± 10.37 dB to 11.05 ± 5.95 dB (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Transcanal endoscopic atticotomy showed promising initial outcomes in achieving dry ear status and improving hearing. It also enabled effective evaluation and management of epitympanic lesions under magnified endoscopic visualization.
Keywords
Attic retraction pocket, endoscopic ear surgery, transcanal endoscopic ear surgery (TEES)
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References
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