Efficacy of a Novel Continuous Irrigation Mode in Endoscopic Ear Surgery for External Auditory Canal Cholesteatoma

Purpose To evaluate the application and efficacy of a novel continuous irrigation mode in endoscopic ear surgery for external auditory canal cholesteatoma (EACC). Methods A retrospective analysis of 66 patients undergoing surgery for EACC at Shenzhen Nanshan People’s Hospital (January 2022 – December 2023) was conducted. Patients were divided into two groups of 33 each: continuous irrigation mode (experimental) and non-irrigation mode (control). Key metrics included intraoperative lens cleaning frequency, operation duration, postoperative complications, epithelialization time(defined as the external auditory canal having no exudate and the granulation tissue on its surface being covered by normal skin tissue), hearing improvement,cleaning frequency within 6 months, and recurrence rate of external auditory canal cholesteatoma . Results The experimental group demonstrated shorter operation time, fewer lens cleanings, reduced complication rates, faster epithelialization, and lower postoperative cleaning frequency (P < 0.05). Hearing improvement and recurrence rates were comparable between groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion The novel continuous irrigation mode significantly enhances surgical efficiency, safety, and outcomes in EACC management, with potential for broad application in primary healthcare settings.