Temperature rises in the round window caused by various light sources during insertion of rigid endoscopes: an experimental animal study.

OBJECTIVES

The instruments used in endoscopic surgery include rigid endoscopes of different diameters and angles, sources of light and monitors. In this study, we explored temperature rises in the round window caused by insertion of rigid endoscopes of different diameters into the middle ear; the endoscopes were fitted with different light sources.

DESIGN

An experimental animal study.

SETTING

We subjected seven guinea pigs to simulate otological surgery at room temperature. We monitored body temperatures, along with temperature rises caused by the use of 0° rigid endoscopes of diameters 3 or 4 mm, fitted with light sources including a halogen light, a light-emitting diode (LED) and a xenon light. Data were collected every second from a sensor placed in the round window.

PARTICIPANTS

An experimental study on 7 guinea pigs.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Rise of the temperature on round window.

RESULTS

Rigid endoscopes caused the temperature of the tympanum to rise when xenon and halogen light sources were used, regardless of endoscope diameter. However, the temperature rise was less when a LED light source was employed.

CONCLUSION

The endoscopic instruments used in middle ear surgery caused the temperature of the round window to rise. The rise varied with endoscope diameter and the type of light source used.