[Long term results stape surgery].

For many years otosclerosis has been an interesting otologic problem in regard to pathological and clinical aspects. Many various conceptions of otosclerosis development which finally lead to the stapes immobility in the oval window were discussed. Resent genetic studies indicate that genetic factors as a cause of otosclerosis possibly in combination with other factors localize 3 genes responsible for otosclerosis to chromosom 15q25q-q26, 7q34-36, 6p21-22. The aim of the study was audiometric evaluation of 1380 patients out of 1716 stapes operations performed in years 1973-2004. Audiometric assessment for air and bone conduction was performed according to the European Academy of Otology and Neuro-Otology (EAO-NO) criteria. Postoperative air-bone gap 11-20 dB for speech frequencies (500, 1000, 2000, 4000 Hz) was obtained in 64.8% and in 28.9% was less than 10 dB. Postoperative air-bone gap (11-20 dB) recognized as a good result is determined by factors such as preoperative hearing loss, onset and duration of the disease, advanced and multiple otosclerotic foci, patient's age etc. Actually postoperative air-bone gap shows the improvement of air and bone thresholds obtained post stapedotomy versus preoperative air bone gap. In previous years an "over-closure" effect was taken into consideration. Hearing improvement post stapes surgery which included the "over closure" effect was obviously better. The authors indicate the necessity of standardization of audiometric results post ear surgery.