Overlay Versus Underlay Tympanoplasty. Part I: Historical Review of the Literature

TLDR

Otology has evolved since the 1600s to treat middle‑ear infections and eardrum damage, driven by serendipitous discoveries of instruments, techniques, and materials. This review aims to chronicle the evolution of ear‑infection treatment and the emergence of contemporary surgical techniques. The paper outlines two modern tympanoplasty approaches: overlay and underlay techniques.

Abstract

Abstract The history of otology is the history of the successful treatment of infections of the middle ear and the eardrum. Otologists have sought to restore hearing lost to infections of the eardrum since the 1600s. The development of instruments, techniques, and materials to treat infection is fascinating because of the serendipitous nature of the discoveries and the insight of the discoverers. This historical review describes the history of the treatment of infections of the ear and the development of modern techniques of ear surgery. Two contemporary methods of tympanic membrane repair are then described.