[Results after stapedotomy in otosclerosis].

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study was to assess the results after primary otosclerosis surgery at Odense University Hospital.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was based on information collected from a database and from patient records. A total of 154 primary stapedotomies (138 patients) were performed using small-fenester-technique in the period 1996-2005. Five experienced ear surgeons performed the operations. The surgeons were still in the learning phase with regard to otosclerosis surgery.

RESULTS

A significant improvement was found regarding the air-conduction pure tone average (PTA) (52.8 dB to 31.4 dB), the bone conduction PTA (25.2 dB to 23,1 dB), air-bone gap (27.6 dB to 8.3 dB), and the speech reception threshold (44.8 dB to 22.5 dB). One operation (0.6%) resulted in severe sensory-neural hearing loss, while other types of complications were seen after 7,2% of the operations. After thirteen operations (8.4%), reoperation was subsequently needed.

CONCLUSION

Patients undergoing primary otosclerosis surgery gained a significant hearing improvement. The results of this survey matched those of larger international and Danish studies. Experienced ear surgeons can perform stapedotomy with good results without having initial experience in otosclerosis surgery.