Int. Adv. Otol. 2009; 5(3); 323-326

Late postoperative hearing results after stapedotomy
Rinze A. Tange, Wilko Grolman

Dept. of Otorhinolaryngology University Medical Center Utrecht The Netherlands, R.A.Tange@umcutrecht.nl

Objective: Evaluation of long-term postoperative hearing results after stapedotomy

Study design: Retrospective analysis of preoperative, early and late (>10 years) postoperative hearing thresholds.

Setting: One tertiary referral and teaching hospital

Patients: 46 patients with otosclerosis, 31 female and 15 male, mean age 39.6 years at the time of the procedure, mean follow
up 14.3 years

Intervention: Primary or revision stapedotomy or stapedectomy

Main outcome measure: Audiometric data

Results: Air-bone gap closure was achieved in all patients, in 70% to a level of less than 10 dB. After years this result remains
intact. During follow-up the cochlear function diminished probably due to the otosclerotic process.

Conclusion: Stapes surgery is a safe and effective treatment for conductive hearing loss caused by otosclerosis, with a very
long lasting beneficial effect.