Endoscopic stapedotomy: a comparison between 4 mm and 3 mm nasal endoscope.

Both 3 mm and 4 mm nasal endoscopes can be successfully used in the endoscopic stapedotomy providing a parallel visual field. Although, comparable results can be obtained in preserving the chorda tympani nerve, tympanic membrane, facial nerve, and postoperative giddiness including the audiological outcomes, the requirement of the canaloplasty and curettage of posterior bony canal can be significantly reduced in patients operated with 3 mm nasal endoscope, especially in patients with narrow/over angulated external auditory canal.