Work

Clinical characteristics of endoscopic tympanoplasty in young children

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Data on the clinical outcomes of endoscopic tympanoplasty in children from our institutional cohort remain limited. In this study, we aimed to describe our single-center experience and explore potential age-associated differences in surgical outcomes among pediatric patients undergoing endoscopic tympanoplasty. Methods: This retrospective case series included 27 consecutive eligible children aged 4-13 years who underwent endoscopic tympanoplasty between January 2020 and December 2024. Patients with inner ear malformation, previous ear surgery, or incomplete clinical and follow-up data were excluded. Subjects were stratified into a younger-age group (4-8 years, n=14) and an older-age group (9-13 years, n=13). Data on baseline characteristics, including demographic information, external auditory canal (EAC) morphology, perforation features, Eustachian tube function, and comorbid conditions were collected. The primary outcome was postoperative tympanic membrane healing rate, and complications were recorded. Only descriptive statistical analyses were performed owing to the small sample size. Results: 69.2% (9/13) in the older-age group, with no statistically significant difference (P=0.17). No significant inter-group differences were found regarding the horizontal and vertical diameters at the narrowest EAC, protrusion angle of the EAC anterior wall, tympanic membrane perforation characteristics, Eustachian tube function, or upper-airway status (all P>0.05). The mean anterior-wall protrusion angle of the EAC in younger children was 179°, which indicated a nearly straight canal configuration. Conclusions: Endoscopic tympanoplasty yielded acceptable healing rates among children. No statistically significant differences in surgical outcomes were detected between the younger- and older-age groups. However, clinically meaningful age-related differences cannot be ruled out given the limited sample size.

Source: Translational Pediatrics

DOI: 10.21037/tp-2026-0565

Authors: Kun Ni, Rui Deng, Jia Fang, Fang Chen, Xiaoyan Li, Wenyan Fan

Institutions: Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Children's Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Ear Surgery and Otitis Media

Subfield: Otorhinolaryngology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: National Natural Science Foundation of China