Stapedectomy

Stapedectomy is a surgical procedure of the middle ear performed in order to improve hearing.

If the stapes footplate is fixed in position, rather than being normally mobile, then a conductive hearing loss results. There are two major causes of stapes fixation. The first is a disease process of abnormal mineralization of the temporal bone called otosclerosis. The second cause is a congenital malformation of the stapes.

Procedure

The purpose of a stapedectomy is to remove part or all of the immobilized stapes footplate and replace it with a micro-prosthesis. A stapedectomy is performed under local or general anesthesia. The surgeon performs the procedure by making an incision in the ear canal and then uses an operating microscope to view the middle ear. A laser or drill is used to remove the stapes. The prosthesis, which is made of stainless steel, Teflon or titanium, is then inserted into the middle ear and attached to the remaining healthy bone.

Risks

As with any surgical procedure, a stapedectomy carries the risk of complications. These may include infection, facial nerve injury, vertigo, tinnitus, or a perforated eardrum. In rare cases, the operation may worsen hearing.

Recovery

Recovery from a stapedectomy is usually quick. Most patients are discharged from the hospital within a few hours of the surgery. Some may experience dizziness or imbalance in the first few days after the procedure, but these symptoms usually resolve quickly. Hearing improvement is often immediate, although the full benefits of the surgery may not be realized for several weeks.

See also

• Otosclerosis
• Tinnitus
• Vertigo

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Stapedectomy

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