[Long-term results of stapedectomy in pediatric patients]

Otosclerosis is generally considered as a disease of adults, but the onset of hearing loss can occur in childhood. The purpose of this presentation is to show the effectiveness of stapedectomy in children. Both, short and long-term results are presented. Material is based on 14 pediatric patients, age 7-14 y. 12 of them had bilateral, 2 unilateral hearing loss. Together 26 ears. The diagnostic pattern was as follow: general pediatric and ENT examination, tuning fork testing, pure-tone audiometry (2x), recognition score test, tympanogram and acoustic reflex test, CT scan of the temporal bone. Particular attention was paid to the parents report concerning the episodes of otitis media or frequent upper respiratory tract infections and history of family hearing loss. Average time of hearing loss was noted 3 years before stapedectomy. Pure tone audiometry was performed on frequencies 500, 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 Hz. All children had hearing loss with air-bone gap 30 or more dB. 23 ears underwent stapedectomy for otosclerosis with teflon-piston prosthesis insert. Hearing level was based on PTA obtained in 2-3 weeks postoperatively and then 3 and 6 months. PTA hearing improvement was in 22 ears. No hearing loss was noted after operation. A total of 16 ears were available for long-term follow-up (up to 24 months after stapedectomy). The PTA hearing improvement was found to be permanent.