Endoscopic ear surgery is a new technique being pioneered at Devgiri Memorial Hospital PCMC Pune.  Depending on the severity and location of the disease, this often requires making an incision and removing bone behind the ear. However, a minimally-invasive approach has emerged that uses a small telescope called an endoscope to perform ear surgery, instead of using a microscope. This provides a much wider view of the ear structures and can typically be performed through the ear canal. This often eliminates the need for an incision and dissection behind the ear, and the entire procedure can be performed through a small incision in the ear canal. Endoscopic ear surgery can also reduce the need to remove the bone behind the ear. Current research has shown that endoscopic techniques achieve equivalent results to microscopic techniques, but are more minimally invasive and could result in fewer incisions, less dissection, and less postoperative pain.

An endoscope is another type of device that can help surgeons see during surgery. It is shaped like a narrow tube and the lens is at the tip. The lens can be placed extremely close to the target, less than half an inch (or thirty times closer than with the microscope). This allows a very detailed view. Because the endoscope is so narrow, it can be slid past blocking structures. In some instances, this can avoid a larger incision or prevent drilling away or blocking bone. The endoscope also provides a wide panoramic view, whereas the microscope provides a narrower view. Finally, endoscopes can have angled lenses, allowing the surgeon to literally see around corners. Endoscopes are not a new technology; however recent improvements have allowed high-quality endoscopes small enough to use for ear surgery.