[Variations and incidents encountered during stapes surgery for otosclerosis]

The aim of this study was to report peroperative variations and incidents encountered during stapes surgery for otosclerosis, from a retrospective series of 293 primary stapedectomies performed in the ENT department of Fondation Adolphe de Rothschild, from january 1990 to december 1996. Pitfalls related to anomalous states or pathological conditions were observed in 81 cases (27.6%) and were classified as follow: narrow oval window niche (12.3%), floating footplate (5.8%), obliterative otosclerosis (4.7%), ossicular chain problems (3.4%), loss of perilymph and/or intravestibular bleeding (2.4%), fixed malleus (1%). Hearing results following surgery are presented. Because of the relatively high incidence of these unforeseen events, the otologic surgeon must be well trained and experienced to be able to use all reasonable stapedectomy or stapedotomy techniques.