Principles of Pediatric Endoscopic Ear Surgery.

The article describes the unique benefits and challenges of transcanal (and transmastoid) endoscopic ear surgery (EES) for management of middle ear disease in children. It provides a rationale for EES in children and describes differences in anatomy between the pediatric and adult ear. The basic principles of EES, from operating room layout, choice of surgical instruments, and tips and pearls to avoid complications specific to the endoscope, are reviewed. Finally, techniques and outcomes in pediatric EES for tympanic membrane perforation, congenital cholesteatoma, and acquired cholesteatoma are summarized.