Comparison of endoscopic type I tympanoplasty with and without assistance of customized 3D-printed guiding template for tympanic membrane

Purpose: To compare the anatomical and audiological outcomes of endoscopic type I tympanoplasty using cartilage-perichondrium, with or without a customized 3D-printed guiding template. Materials and methods: A total of 60 patients with tympanic membrane perforation receiving endoscopic type I tympanoplasty were divided into the non-template group (group 1, n = 30) and template group (group 2, n = 30). Closure rate, hearing outcomes and operating time were compared between the two groups. Results: Group1 had a significant higher operation time compared with group2 (77.73 +/- 10.63 min vs. 66.23 +/- 14.92 min, p = 0.001). The overall closure rate of group1 was lower than that of group2 (83.33% vs. 100%, p = 0.052). The postoperative air-bone gaps (ABGs) were significantly lower than preoperative ones in each group (p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: Improvements in hearing outcomes were comparable for the two groups. The applying of customized 3D-printed guiding template resulted in a higher closure rate and a shorter operation time. Our results suggest that the customized 3D-printed guiding template can be recommended as a useful aid for endoscopic type I tympanoplasty.

Automated summary

The study indicates that the customized 3D-printed guiding template can improve closure rate and decrease operation time in endoscopic type I tympanoplasty. The improvements in hearing outcomes were similar for both groups.