Revision stapedectomy: a review of 258 cases

We reviewed the records of 258 revision stapedectomy operations performed at the Otological Medical Group during an eight year period. Displacement of the prosthesis to the inferior edge of the window was the commonest cause of failure (41%) and occurred predominately in wire-Gelfoam pad cases. An oval window fistula, a short prosthesis or bony closure of the window were causes of failure in 9% each. Incus necrosis was the cause of failure in 5%. Less than 50% of the operations resulted in postoperative conductive deficit of 10 db or less. The results were better than this in incus bypass procedures, in revisions of cases in which a tissue graft was used over the oval window and in revisions of ears initially operated on elsewhere. Severe sensorineural hearing impairment was the result in 7% of the operations and half of these impairments were dead ears. The majority of these adverse results followed a repeat drill out of obliterative otosclerosis or followed reopening of the oval window in patients with a postoperative inner ear problem other than a fistula. We concluded that 1. revision stapedectomy is a less satisfactory procedure than primary stapedectomy; 2. there is rarely an indication for a repeat drill out of obliterative otosclerosis; and 3. the oval window membrane usually should not be disturbed in revision stapedectomy in a patient with inner ear symptoms unless there is a fistula.