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Updated: Jul 12, 2026
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The Microscopic Transcanal Approach in Stapes Surgery Revisited
Published on: February 16, 2022
Stapes surgery: a 32-year follow-up
Tapio S Karhuketo1, Jari Lundmark, Johanna Vanhatalo
1Department of Eye, Ear and Oral Diseases, Medical School, Tampere University and Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland. tapiokarhuketo@hotmail.com
Summary
Long-term stapes surgery results show durable hearing improvements. Most patients maintained significant air-bone gap closure, enhancing social life and delaying hearing aid use.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Audiology
- Surgical Outcomes
Background:
- Stapes surgery is common, but long-term hearing result durability is poorly understood.
- Evaluating long-term outcomes is crucial for assessing surgical efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the long-term durability of hearing outcomes following stapes surgery.
- To analyze hearing changes over a 32-year period after stapes surgery.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 68 ears from 58 patients who underwent stapes surgery between 1965-1975.
- Long-term follow-up evaluations conducted in 2001-2002, with a mean follow-up of 32.9 years.
Main Results:
- Excellent long-term maintenance of surgical results was observed.
- 37% of patients achieved an air-bone gap closure of less than 10 dB.
- 75% of patients maintained their postoperative hearing improvement over the long term.
Conclusions:
- Stapes surgery provides durable hearing improvements, maintaining significant air-bone gap closure.
- The procedure enhances social life and delays the need for hearing aids for hearing-impaired individuals.
