Combined approach for experimental Oto-neurosurgical procedures

BACKGROUND: Experimental procedures will continue to be a key element while going through the learning curve in the use of the endoscope and minimally invasive procedures. We describe the technical procedure of an experimental approach to middle ear in New Zealand rabbits through external auditory canal and its relevance as an ideal model to study graft materials and serve as a training tool for potential applications in otoneurology. METHODS: A group of 28 adult New Zealand rabbits were subjected to an experimental myringoplasty, combining the transmeatal and retroauricular approach with endoscopic assistance and microsurgical technique. The different anatomical steps and systematization of the complete experimental procedure are described. RESULTS: An experimental approach to middle ear live model and basic anatomic description was successfully used, standardizing the ideal technique. The eardrum could regenerate with no complications and with functional preservation in all the myringoplasty cases. This strategy involves a safe combined approach to the tympanic membrane and others neurosurgical as transcochlear and translaberyntic approaches and is useful as a test of other experimental procedures to evaluate biomaterials to repair the eardrum currently studied. This experimental myringoplasty model also facilitates functional tests such as impedanciometry and the endoscopic follow-up of the whole process. CONCLUSIONS: The method described to perform an experimental myringoplasty (type I tympanoplasty) in a New Zealand rabbit is an option to be used as a basic model to study the behavior of the graft in the tympanic membrane. Also, basic concepts for the use of combined instrumentation are established in the treatment of eardrum lesions, as a refinement of the technical training application in microsurgery and assisted endoscopy in the transcochlear and translaberintic approaches and otoneurology areas.