Dr. Priyanka J. Hardikar

Microscopic Ear Surgery

Microscopic ear surgery involves the use of an operating microscope, which provides highly magnified and detailed views of the structures inside the ear. This enhanced visualization allows surgeons to perform intricate procedures with greater accuracy and precision. Microscopic ear surgery is typically used for:

• Middle Ear Surgery:
  
• Tympanoplasty: Repair of the eardrum (tympanic membrane) and middle ear ossicles (bones) for conditions like perforations, chronic otitis media, or hearing loss.
• Ossiculoplasty: Reconstruction or repair of the middle ear bones (ossicles) to restore hearing.
• Stapedectomy: Removal of the stapes bone and insertion of a prosthesis to treat otosclerosis, a condition where abnormal bone growth affects hearing.
• Cholesteatoma Surgery: Removal of a non-cancerous skin growth (cholesteatoma) that can erode ear structures and cause hearing loss.
• Facial Nerve Decompression: Surgical relief of pressure on the facial nerve in cases of Bell's palsy or other conditions affecting facial movement.

Benefits of Microscopic Ear Surgery

• Enhanced Precision: Allows surgeons to work with intricate ear structures with greater accuracy, minimizing the risk of damage to surrounding tissues.
• Improved Outcomes: Provides better surgical outcomes with reduced postoperative complications such as hearing loss or facial nerve injury.
• Quicker Recovery: Minimizes trauma, leading to faster recovery times and shorter hospital stays compared to traditional open surgery.

Minimally Invasive Ear Surgery

Minimally invasive ear surgery utilizes specialized instruments and techniques to perform procedures through small incisions or natural openings, avoiding the need for large surgical cuts. This approach is typically employed for:

• Endoscopic Ear Surgery: Use of an endoscope (a thin, flexible tube with a camera) to visualize and treat conditions within the ear canal and middle ear. This can include procedures for chronic ear infections, removal of small tumors, or repair of eardrum perforations.
• Balloon Eustachian Tuboplasty: A procedure to treat Eustachian tube dysfunction by inserting and inflating a small balloon to dilate the tube and improve ventilation of the middle ear.
• Implantable Hearing Devices: Placement of devices like cochlear implants or bone-anchored hearing aids through minimally invasive techniques to improve hearing in cases of severe sensorineural hearing loss.

Benefits of Minimally Invasive Ear Surgery

• Reduced Trauma: Smaller incisions or no external incisions result in less damage to tissues, reducing pain and promoting faster healing.
• Lower Risk of Infection: Decreased exposure of tissues to contaminants lowers the risk of surgical site infections.
• Cosmetic Benefits: Minimized scarring and a more aesthetically pleasing outcome compared to traditional open surgery.