[External ear canal parameters and endoscopic otosurgery in children].

Introduction: Main difficulties of endoscopic ear surgery in children could be connected with width of external ear canal (EEC) and endoscope diameter discrepancy.

Objective: To investigate EEC parameters in children, to determine cross section and to develop the recommendations whenever possible of endootosurgery performance in children.

Material And Methods: Research included two stages. First - average values determination of narrowest site EEC in children according to computer tomograms. Second - determination of age of the patient and the amount of acoustical pass at which there are specifications for performance of interventions endoscopic.

Results: EEC square: 1-3 years - 12.6±1.91 mm, diameter is 4.01±0.59 mm; 4-7 years - 16.8±1.34 mm, diameter is 5.34±0.43 mm; 8-11 years - 21.7±1.38 mm, diameter is 6.9±0.45 mm; 12-18 years - 31.3±4.27 mm, diameter is 9.96±1.4 mm. The difference between parameters at each of age groups was statistically reliable. Comfortable work endoscopically is possible with EEC square 20.4±3.19 mm and more. This corresponds to average value of EEC in 8-18 years.

Conclusions: Endoscopic ear surgery is inexpedient in children up to 4 years. It is necessary to expect that intervention will be exigeant and transition to the microscopic equipment is required in case of 4-7 years old patients. Endoscopic ear surgery can be used with success to performance of various manipulations and surgical interventions on a middle ear in patients 8-18 years old.