The endoscope with magnifying lens systems and retrotympanic sub-regions. During microsurgical pro­ angled view has, in all oto-rhino-laryngology, been cedures, the recognition of pathologic changes in developed from a basically diagnostical tool into a sur­ niches, recesses or occluded tunnels is considerably gical instrument. Earlier, it served to see what exists. facilitated. The disadvantages of the operating micro­ Nowadays, it is continuously changing what one does. scope -reduced brightness and bad focus with higher Jean-Marc Thomassin's book "Otoendoscopically magnifieations, no angled view- can be compensated guided surgey" appears as the first guide into this new by additional endoscopy with the instrument's tip field of otoendoscopic control of microsurgery of the close to the target and with the view "around the cor­ ear. The author has achieved to compile and codify ner". what, during recent years, was already looked at by While thus visualizing remote areas or hidden him and by a "happy few" of otological pilots. But, he spots by a rigid magnifying endoscope with an angled has also added new insights into this matter. One may view direction apparently no patho-anatomical secret say that he has provided a solid basis for both the remains undiscovered. What can be inspected can be scholars and the experts who want to enrich their cleaned, there are adequate instruments. This fact arsenal of otosurgical techniques. makes the analysis of surgical failures more plausible.

Preface by: M.E. Wigand, A. Pech