Stapes Surgery for Otosclerosis

Stapes Surgery for Otosclerosis Ronayooth Boonchoo MD Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, University of Bangkok Metropolis Otosclerosis is the most common cause of progressive conductive hearing loss in adults. Among several options of management, stapes surgery and using hearing aids are the most important methods. Stapes surgery for otosclerosis has evolved for more than 50 years. Total stapes resection or stapedectomy was used in early years. The operation is now advanced to a more conservative approach of stapedotomy. Stapedotomy is done by using microdrill and pick or laser to remove only suprastructure of the stapes while the base or footplate of the stapes was left. Footplate fenestra is created before insertion of stapes prostheses. Along with the development of new surgical technique, the prosthestic design and material used for the seals have also been evolved with many types of stapes prostheses and seals available nowadays. Regardless of any surgical technique or instrument used, the results of surgery to obtain satisfactory postoperative hearing is based mainly on the experience of a surgeon. Keywords: otosclerosis , stapes surgery, conductive hearing loss Vajira Med J 2010 ; 54 : 361 - 365