Objective Middle ear surgery increasingly employs endoscopes as an adjunct to or replacement for the operative microscope. Superior visualization and transcanal access to disease normally managed with a transmastoid approach are touted as advantages with the endoscope. No study, however, has systemically reviewed the literature to evaluate outcomes of endoscopic ear surgery (EES). We provide a systematic review of endoscope applications in middle ear surgery with an emphasis on outcomes. Data Sources PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Methods A literature review was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis recommendations. Articles were categorized based on study design, indication, and use of an endoscope either as an adjunct to or as a replacement for a microscope. Quantitative and descriptive analyses were performed. Results Ninety-one articles published between 1967 and 2014 met inclusion and exclusion criteria. The main indication for the use of an endoscope was cholesteatoma or myringoplasty. Of the identified articles, 40 provided a discrete discussion of outcomes. In cholesteatoma surgery, the endoscope has been mainly employed as an adjunct to the microscope, and although outcomes assessments vary across studies, the endoscope identified residual cholesteatoma in up to 50% of cases. Conclusion Endoscopes have been predominately used as an observational adjunct to the microscope to improve visualization of the tympanic cavity. Recent reports utilize the endoscope exclusively during surgical dissection; however, data comparing patient outcomes following the use of an operative endoscope versus a microscope are lacking. Areas in need of additional research are highlighted.

Objective Although the theoretical risk of elevated temperatures during endoscopic ear surgery has been reported previously, neither temperature change nor heat distribution associated with the endoscope has been quantified. In this study, we measure temperature changes during rigid middle ear endoscopy in a human temporal bone model and investigate whether suction can act as a significant cooling mechanism. Study Design Human temporal bone model of endoscopic middle ear surgery. Methods Fresh human temporal bones were maintained at body temperature (~36°C). Temperature fluctuations were measured as a function of 1) distance between the tip of a 3mm 0° Hopkins rod and round window membrane, and 2) intensity of the light source. Infrared imaging determined the thermal gradient. For suction, a #20 French was utilized. Results We found: 1) an endoscope maximally powered by a xenon or LED light source resulted in a rapid temperature elevation up to 46°C within 0.5–1mm from the tip of the endoscope within 30–124 seconds; 2) elevated temperatures occurred up to 8mm from the endoscope tip; and 3) temperature decreased rapidly within 20–88 seconds of turning off the light source or applying suction. Conclusion Our findings have direct implications for avoiding excessive temperature elevation in endoscopic ear surgery. We recommend: 1) using submaximal light intensity, 2) frequent repositioning of the endoscope, and 3) removing the endoscope to allow tissue cooling. Use of suction provides rapid cooling of the middle ear space and may be incorporated in the design of new instrumentation for prolonged dissection.

Objectives/Hypothesis Opioid‐related deaths in the United States have increased 200% since 2000, in part due to prescription diversion from patients who had a surgical procedure. The purpose of this study was to characterize provider prescription patterns and assess patient‐reported opioid use after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Study Design Retrospective chart review. Methods Patients who underwent ESS between May 2017 and May 2018 were included. Opioid prescription, operative details, and postoperative opioid use data were extracted. The Massachusetts Prescription Awareness Tool (MassPAT) was queried to determine if patients filled their prescription. Results One hundred fifty‐five patients were included. Nearly all patients received an opioid prescription (94.8%). An average of 15.6 tablets was prescribed per patient. Among 116 patients with MassPAT data, 91.4% filled their prescription. Among 67 patients who reported the number of tablets they had used at the time of first follow‐up appointment, 73.1% reported taking no opioids. Mean number of tablets prescribed was significantly greater among patients who underwent primary versus revision surgery (16.5 vs. 13.5, P = .0111) and those who had splints placed (21.5 vs. 15.1, P = .0037). Predictors of opioid use included concurrent turbinate reduction (58.3% vs. 14.3%, P < .0001) and concurrent septoplasty (45.5% vs. 21.6%, P = .039). Conclusions Nearly all patients who underwent ESS were prescribed an opioid, and nearly all patients filled their prescription. However, the vast majority of patients did not require any opioid medication for postoperative pain control. As the opioid epidemic continues to persist, these findings have immediate relevance to current prescribing patterns and pain management practices. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 129:1046–1052, 2019