The sinus tympani in the middle ear have been the focus of clinical interest because of its tendency to be invaded by a cholesteatoma. Due to its visual obscurity, and the lack of a straightforward surgical approach, it can be difficult to address [1]. Most residual cholesteatoma present in the sinus tympani [2]. It can be visualised by intra tympanic mirrors, Oto-endoscopes, or with techniques like, removal of the lateral lip of bone and tilting the patient’s head and/or microscope. Removal of the disease from sinus tympani is also influenced by surgical approaches, which include the anterior to posterior and the retro facial approach [3].

While using the intra tympanic mirror to visualise the sinus tympani, the mirror tends to fogs up. To prevent this from occurring, anti-fogging solutions or warming up the mirror are techniques that are readily used. We describe the following simple method to prevent fogging. A microsuction tip could be kept intermittently 2–3 mm away from the mirror. The turbulence of the air flow generated by the suction would prevent the fogging. Microsuction is readily available on the operating table (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1
figure 1

i Sinus tympani visualised with intra tympanic mirror (microscopic view). ii Diagram to explain a Zoellner microsuction, b intra tympanic mirror, c facial recess, d facial nerve, e sinus tympani area

Full size image