Long-term results after stapedectomy versus stapedotomy

In a retrospective study postoperative hearing results after stapedotomy were compared with those after stapedectomy. Of 117 patients suffering from otosclerosis, 93 percent were primarily successfully operated between 1980 and 1990 in the ENT department of the University of Vienna. Long-term results from 35 stapedotomies and 22 stapedectomies were compared. Stapedotomy gave better results for high frequencies than stapedectomy. Whereas after stapedotomy no case of hearing loss could be observed, the incidence of anacusis after stapedectomy was 1.7 percent. Therefore, it is concluded that stapedotomy should be the preferred surgical technique in the treatment of otosclerosis.