Table 2.

Results of temporal bone endoscopic tensor tympani transection

Temporal bone number	Previous mastoidectomy	Tensor tympani visible with 0° scope	Tensor tympani visible with 30° scope	Extended elevation of the tympanomeatal flap needed	Comments
(1) Left	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
(2) Right	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
(3) Left	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Tensor tympani was transected bluntly with a Wullstein needle. This resulted in inadvertent incudomalleal joint instability A prominent anterior canal bulge made the scope insertion and endoscopic guided insertion of instruments somewhat challenging but the procedure was still completed with a 2.7 mm diameter scope
(4) Left	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
(5) Right	Yes	No	Yes	No	The tendon could not be seen with the 0° scope because of the narrow space between the long process of the incus and malleus handle. Better visualization was achieved with the 30° scope
(6) Right	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
(7) Right	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
(8) Left	No	Yes	Yes	No
(9) Right	No	Yes	Yes	No
(10) Left	No	No	Yes	No	The narrow ear canal required use of a 1.9 mm 30° scope rather than a 2.7 mm scope