Simultaneous bilateral stapes surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

The patients recovered from the surgery as after unilateral surgery. The success rate for hearing improvement was good both subjectively and objectively, and this was also displayed in the quality of life. According to our study, simultaneous bilateral stapes surgery can be performed safely in selected patients with bilateral conductive hearing loss.

OBJECTIVES

Otosclerosis is bilateral in the majority of patients. In this study we evaluated the outcome of simultaneous bilateral stapes surgery.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Eighteen patients suffering from bilateral otosclerosis or osteogenesis imperfecta were prospectively included. After operation, hearing and vestibular function were followed by audiometry and visual feedback posturography (VFP). Patients estimated their hearing gain, the intensity of vestibular symptoms and quality of life score with a questionnaire during the follow-up period of 1 year.

RESULTS

The mean improvement in pure-tone average (PTA) air conduction (PTA-AC) was 18 dB (range 1-41 dB). The mean air-bone gap (AB-GAP) diminished from 22 dB (range 10-41 dB) to 7 dB on both sides (range 0-18 dB). The mean preoperative score of 2.3 for hearing improved significantly to 4.1 (p<0.001). Vestibular symptoms were mild and temporary. The VFP was not permanently impaired in any of the patients. The quality of life score improved significantly from 3.4 to 1.3 postoperatively (p<0.001).