Conclusions
We have found that EES overall is less painful and requires less analgesia in the initial post-operative period than microscopic surgery. Where differing applications of endoscopic and microscopic procedures are accounted for within subgroup analysis, the difference only holds true for reconstructive procedures. It must be acknowledged that the strength of conclusion which can be drawn from subgroup analysis is weak due to small patient numbers. However, the overall results of this study are useful for pre-operative patient counselling and pain management in the clinical setting. Further research is required to study the influence of bone removal, type of operation, and incision type on pain after ear surgery.