Argon laser in difficult stapedotomy cases

Objective: The success and safety of argon lasers in stapedotomy surgery is now well documented. This study reviews results in problematic situations in which the argon laser may be of particular advantage to successful completion of the stapedotomy procedure. Study Design: Retrospective chart review. Methods: A retrospective review of the author's most recent 200 stapedotomy cases was performed, identifying 32 patients who at surgery were either found to have a prolapsed dehiscent facial nerve (three cases), developed a floating footplate (eight cases), or were undergoing a revision stapedotomy (21 cases). Four-frequency, pure-tone average air and bone conduction thresholds were computed before and after surgery. Success was defined as closure of the air-bone gap to within 10 dB, while an air-bone gap within 20 dB was considered improvement. Results: Successful closure of the air-bone gap was achieved in all eight patients with a mobilized footplate, in all three patients with a prolapsed dehiscent facial nerve, and in 43% of the patients undergoing a revision stapedotomy. The rate of improved air-bone gap in the revision cases was 62%. In one revision stapedotomy patient a decrease in speech discrimination occurred. Otherwise, there were no cases of sensorineural hearing loss. Neither intraoperative nor postoperative dizziness was reported by any patient, and all were discharged on an outpatient basis. Conclusion: The argon laser was found to be safe, effective, and a valuable adjunct for the difficult stapedotomy cases when unexpected obstacles such as a prolapsed dehiscent facial nerve or a mobilized footplate are encountered, as well as for the planned, more difficult revision cases. Laryngoscope, 108:1669-1673, 1998     

Reliability of microdrill stapedotomy: comparison with pick stapedotomy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the hearing outcomes and complications of the microdrill and pick stapedotomy techniques. PATIENTS: We assessed 123 primary otosclerosis operation in 103 patients who had more than 1 year follow-up (71 microdrill; 52 pick stapedotomies). There were 87 women and 36 men in the study group (mean age, 44 +/- 11.2 years) at surgery. INTERVENTION: Stapedotomy for otosclerosis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pure tone hearing thresholds and clinical evaluation for complications. RESULTS: In the microdrill group, preoperative mean air conduction was 61 dB, and mean bone conduction was 27 dB, postoperatively, these values improved to 31 dB and 16 dB, respectively. In the pick group, mean air conduction was 61 dB, and mean bone conduction was 27 dB, which improved postoperatively to 33 dB and 18 dB, respectively. Postoperative hearing gains were similar in both groups (p > 0.005). The mean postoperative gain in bone conduction was significant (p < 0.001) in each group: 11 dB in the microdrill group and 9 dB in the pick group, with no significant difference between the two groups. The preoperative air-bone gap was 34 dB in both groups, and improved to 15 dB in both. Complication rates were similar. CONCLUSION: The microdrill and pick stapedotomy techniques produced similar hearing results and complication rates. Within the limitations of the present study, we found no evidence of microdrill-induced acoustic trauma. The microdrill can be a useful technique in performing a stapedotomy and seems to produce similar results to those associated with pick stapedotomy.     

Results of stapedotomy in the cases of "floating footplate"

One of the problems in the stapes surgery is the floating footplate. The frequency of incidence of this complication is 2% to 5.8% of all operations. The authors present the results of stapes operations in a group of 28 cases (2.5%) from all the 1120 operations, in which the surgeon experienced a floating footplate. The hearing results were evaluated on the base of the average gain of air-conduction thresholds and air-bone gap levels at 500, 1000, 2000 and 3000 Hz. The improvement of hearing we observed in 24 patients, 4 patients heard worse.     

First experience with a new stapes clip piston in stapedotomy.

OBJECTIVE: Hearing results after 23 implantations of a newly designed titanium-clip stapes piston prosthesis (the àWengen Clip Piston prosthesis) in patients with otosclerosis were evaluated. This new type of stapes piston was designed to avoid the crimping onto the incus in stapedotomy. This one clip fits all designs and enables solid fixation by clicking the prosthesis onto the long process of the incus without crimping. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective pilot study was carried out by microcomputer of the preoperative and postoperative audiological results of patients in whom the titanium-clip stapes piston prosthesis was implanted. SETTING: Ear, nose and throat department of Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. PATIENTS: 23 Patients underwent a stapedotomy for hearing improvement suffering from otosclerosis. implantations of a newly designed titanium-clip stapes piston prosthesis (the àWengen Clip Piston prosthesis) in patients with otosclerosis were evaluated. INTERVENTION(S): The stapedotomy was performed with the àWengen Clip Piston prosthesis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Pre and postoperative audiograms were used to evaluate the hearing gain improvement with the new stapes piston. Especially we looked at the airbone gap closure and the sensorineural hearing after the surgical procedure and compared these with the ones before surgery. RESULTS: The hearing results showed a closure of the pure-tone average air-bone gap to within 10 dB in 56.6% of cases (10 of 23 implantations) and to within 20 dB in 100% (23 of 23 implantations). A residual air-bone gap of greater than 20 dB was seen in the present pilot study. Postoperative overclosure of bone-conduction thresholds was discovered only for the frequency of 2 kHz. Sensorineural hearing loss greater than 10% did not occur, and there was no decline in the speech discrimination. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a newly designed titanium-clip stapes piston prosthesis with a diameter of 0.4 mm gives good results in cases of stapedotomy for otosclerosis. The titanium-clip design is a new development in the evolution of stapes piston prostheses. Surgical introduction, placement, and fixation are not always easy, depending on the anatomy of the middle ear and the thickness of the fixation area on the long process of the incus.     

Vein versus tragal perichondrium in stapedotomy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess, in otosclerosis surgery, whether the vein or the tragal perichondrium in stapedotomy with interposition yields the better long-term hearing outcome. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective chart review of prospectively collected audiometric data of 452 ears. SETTING: Academic tertiary otology-neurotology referral center. PATIENTS: Four hundred fifty-two stapedotomies with interposition were performed in 412 patients (bilateral in 40 patients) by the senior author (R.C.) between 1987 and 1998. A tragal perichondrium graft was used in 314 cases and a vein graft was used in 138 cases as sealing material of the oval window. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Audiometric data were recorded at 4 months, at 1 year, and at 3 years after surgery after American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery guidelines, except for thresholds at 3 kHz, which were not available and which were replaced with those at 4 kHz. RESULTS: There were no significant intergroup differences in initial or late postoperative hearing outcome with regard to change in the pure-tone average bone conduction and air-bone gaps, or sensorineural hearing loss. Ears treated with a vein graft showed statistically better postoperative 2-kHz air-bone gap closure (p =0.0157), but the pure-tone average air-bone gap difference was not significant. Postoperative air-bone gap closure to within 10 dB was achieved in 91% of cases in the vein group and in 76% of cases in the perichondrium group. Specific study of the bone conduction level at 4 kHz showed a sensorineural hearing loss greater than 10 dB in 8% of cases in the vein group and in 11% of cases in the perichondrium group. One case of complete sensorineural hearing loss was observed with a tragal perichondrium graft (0.22%). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the vein should be preferred to the tragal perichondrium in stapedotomy with interposition.     

喉垂直切除会厌下移喉重建术治疗早期声带癌的疗效观察

目的:评价喉垂直切除会厌下移喉重建术(Tucker技术)治疗早期声带癌(T1b,T2)的效果,明确Tucker技术的手术适应证。方法:回顾性分析139例接受Tucker技术治疗患者的临床资料,其中127例是首次接受治疗的患者(T1b48例,T279例),12例(Tr)是声带癌曾接受过放射治疗或声带切除后复发的患者。计算生存率和评估喉功能恢复情况。结果:T1期患者的5年生存率为91.0%,肿瘤局部控制率为100%;T2期患者的5年生存率为86%,肿瘤局部控制率为94.0%;Tr期患者的5年生存率为64.0%,肿瘤局部控制率为82%。喉功能保留方面:气管拔管率为100%,平均拔管时间10d。胃管拔除率为99.3%(138/139),6例因误咽施行了胃造漏术,1例因顽固性误咽导致吸入性肺炎施行了功能性全喉切除术;平均胃管拔管时间为15d。121例(87.1%)患者获得了好或较好的发声,18例患者的发声质量较差如同耳语声。结论:喉垂直切除会厌下移喉重建术(Tucker技术)是治疗T和T期声带癌的有效手术方法。     

Advantages and dangers of erbium laser application in stapedotomy.

Among different types of lasers, the erbium laser exhibits particularly favourable characteristics for ear surgery. Experiments with application of erbium laser pulses to the isolated stapes connected to an inner ear model confirmed that there was virtually no thermal effect to the inner ear liquid and that the border damage zone on the stapes footplate perforation did not exceed 5-10 microm. Erbium laser pulses, however, produce pressure waves due to the explosive ablation of tissue. Pulses of 10 to 17 J/cm2 producing pressure waves between 140 and 160 dB appear to be a limit for clinical application. With these criteria, an in-house built erbium YAG laser with a fiberoptic delivery device was used in 15 patients for stapedotomy. A special microhandpiece, where a zirconium fluoride fiber was connected to a quartz tip, was developed. In addition, three patients had stapedotomy with a commercially available Zeiss (Opmi TwinER) microscope equipped with a micromanipulator-operated erbium laser beam. One year after surgery, the air-bone gap was closed in all patients to within 20 dB between 0.5 and 3 kHz with only minor permanent bone conduction threshold losses (< 20 dB). However, we observed an immediate postoperative middle and high frequency loss of up to 75 dB on bone conduction threshold measurements 2 h after surgery, suggesting an acoustic traumatization by the erbium laser. This threshold shift recovered close to preoperative values within 6 h. These observations prompted us to discontinue the clinical use of erbium laser for stapedotomy until the problem of temporary acoustic traumatization is resolved.     

Carbon dioxide laser stapedotomy. Thermal effects in the vestibule

Small-fenestra stapedotomy has recently been popularized in efforts to reduce the incidence of sensorineural hearing loss following stapes surgery for otospongiosis. Lasers have been advocated as a tool to fenestrate the stapes footplate. Conversion of radiant energy from the laser into heat in the vestibule represents the greatest potential risk to the inner ear. Using a carbon dioxide laser with a focal point of 150 microns at 300 mm, fenestrations of the stapes footplate were performed in a series of 14 anesthetized cats. The laser power output ranged from 0.47 to 3.05 W, with pulse durations of 0.2 and 0.5 s. Resultant temperature elevations in the vestibule, measured by a thin-wire thermocouple, ranged from 0 to 4.4 degrees C (0 to 8 degrees F) and directly correlated to wattage and duration of the laser-beam pulse. Temperature changes could be reduced by use of lower wattage, shorter pulse duration, timed intervals between pulses, and convection cooling of the promontory.     

Clinical results after stapedotomy: a comparison between the erbium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser and the conventional technique.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess whether the use of the erbium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser has negative effects on inner ear function and to compare the short- and long-term hearing outcome of patients undergoing conventional stapedotomy versus laser stapedotomy. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of prospectively collected audiometric data of patients with otosclerosis operated on by one experienced surgeon. SETTING: Academic tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: A total of 266 stapes surgeries were evaluated for intraoperative findings, of which 209 patients were evaluated for preoperative and postoperative hearing thresholds after a 6- to 452-week (mean, 22 wk) audiological follow-up. INTERVENTION: One hundred fifteen (43%) of the operations were performed conventionally, using manual perforators for stapedotomy (Group A); in 115 (43%) surgeries, the perforators were used in combination with the Er:YAG laser (Group B), and in 36 (14%) operations, the Er:YAG was used exclusively for footplate perforation (Group C). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pure-tone audiometry was performed before surgery, 2 days postoperatively (bone conduction only) and at 5, 26, and 57 weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: A postoperative temporary threshold shift of the bone conduction could be found in all groups. In Group C, where the laser was used exclusively for footplate perforation, this threshold shift was not only the most significant, but also-in contrast to the other groups-not totally reversible. In all techniques, a satisfactory air-bone gap closure could be achieved. The best long-term results (96% of the patients had 相似文献   

The effect of stapedotomy on tinnitus in patients with otospongiosis

Stapedotomy is primarily performed to treat hearing loss secondary to otospongiosis, although some patients find that the accompanying tinnitus is more bothersome than the hearing loss. We prospectively studied 23 consecutive patients with tinnitus secondary to otospongiosis who had undergone stapedotomy, and we compared their pre- and postoperative medical and audiologic findings. Patients' annoyance with their tinnitus was quantified by means of a visual analog scale, and their air-conduction thresholds were determined by measurements of a 4-frequency pure-tone average (0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz). Statistical analysis was performed using the paired Student's t test and Fisher's exact test. In the group as a whole, the mean tinnitus annoyance visual analog scores were 8.34 preoperatively and 1.56 postoperatively, a highly significant difference. Clinically, 22 of the 23 patients (95.7%) achieved satisfactory control of their tinnitus (improvement or complete resolution) following stapedotomy. With respect to hearing loss, all patients clinically improved postoperatively, and audiometry confirmed improvement at all 4 frequencies between 0.5 and 4 kHz. An air-bone gap of less than 10 dB was noted in 17 patients (73.9%). We conclude that in addition to improving hearing, stapedotomy also provides good control of tinnitus.     

Electrical promontory stimulation in patients with intact cochlear nerve and anacusis following acoustic neuroma surgery.

Anacusis following hearing preservation surgery for acoustic neuroma removal in which the cochlear nerve was preserved has been explained on the basis of neural or vascular compromise. In the absence of pathologic evidence for either theory, a physiologic model was chosen. Electrical promontory stimulation with monitoring of subjective and electrically evoked auditory brainstem responses was undertaken. A positive response to stimulation suggests a vascular impairment of the cochlea sparing the cochlear nerve and spiral ganglion. The absence of response suggests loss of neural integrity at the level of the spiral ganglion or cochlear nerve. Six patients who suffered anacusis following hearing preservation surgery for acoustic neuroma were studied. Data regarding electrical promontory stimulation, auditory brainstem responses, and implications of the possible role of cochlear implantation are discussed.     

Fallopian canal stapedotomy in congenital stapes fixation with aberrant facial nerve

Congenital stapes ankylosis is reported to have an occurrence rate of 3% to 4%, and it represents 20% to 35% of ossicular malformations. Surgical treatment of congenital stapes ankylosis is described to be satisfactory in the large majority of the case series reported in the literature. In these cases, special attention should be paid to exclude any aberrations of the course of the facial nerve, which have been demonstrated to be frequently associated with congenital middle ear malformations. We describe a case of congenital stapes ankylosis associated with a previously unreported facial nerve abnormality, characterized by the presence of an empty fallopian canal in combination with a dehiscent facial nerve running over the footplate and almost totally covering it.     

Cochlear protection and surgical precision in stapedotomy with Er:YAG laser

BACKGROUND: Using laser in stapedotomy has attracted a lot of attention since the nineties. It aims at minimizing complications due to hand-operated equipment, especially inner ear lesions, and achieving higher precision. We analyzed the clinical effect of Er:YAG laser with the question whether the postulated cochlea protection and foot plate perforation, optimized for better sound conduction, are achieved, compared to conventional stapedotomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We evaluated retrospectively audiometrical data including pre- and postoperative bone and air conduction thresholds of 114 consecutive patients, on whom we had performed stapedotomy and had inserted platinum-teflon prostheses. The intervention was done conventionally in 72 cases and in 42 cases with Er:YAG laser. RESULTS: In the lower and middle frequencies, laser technique resulted in a more pronounced improvement of bone conduction thresholds compared to conventional stapedotomy. The improvement of air conduction was more distinct in ears after laser surgery; also, the difference between air and bone conduction was reduced at a higher degree. CONCLUSION: Er:YAG laser in stapedotomy is coupled with cochlea protection, as demonstrated under clinical conditions, and allows higher hearing benefit of air conduction compared to conventional stapedotomy. Our results emphasize the impact of innovative laser technique on stapedotomy.     

A comparison of round-window and transtympanic promontory electric stimulation in cochlear implant candidates.

We compared within-subjects electrical thresholds and dynamic ranges obtained with direct round-window and transtympanic promontory stimulation carried out preoperatively in 12 patients who were candidates for a cochlear implant. Square waves with frequencies of 50, 100, 200, and 400 Hz were delivered in a 50% duty cycle to both sites in each patient. With the exception of threshold at 50 Hz (promontory thresholds were lower than round-window thresholds), there were no statistically significant differences for either thresholds or dynamic ranges between the two sites of stimulation. There was a general trend for round-window thresholds to be lower and dynamic ranges larger, especially for the higher frequencies of stimulation. Mean threshold slopes for the two sites of stimulation were nearly identical.     

Results of stapedotomy in otosurgical treatment of adult patients with osteogenesis imperfecta

ObjectiveThis is a retrospective study of hearing results and characteristics of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) patients treated for hearing loss by stapedotomy at tertiary reference center.MethodsThis study enrolled 20 patients with a clinical diagnosis of OI- (11M:9F). 18 patients (90%) underwent surgery due to hearing loss in the period 2003–16. The audiometric analysis provides the pure tone audiometry results of stapedotomy in adult patients in 2 periods (≤12 months and >12 months).Air-bone gap (ABG), hearing gain (HG), and changes in air and bone conduction thresholds after surgical treatment were analyzed.ResultsIn short-time follow-up we noted statistically significant improvement in mean AC thresholds and ABG (p < 0.001 for both), change in mean BC thresholds was statistically negligible. Comparing the observation periods short-term and long-term, it was found that AC thresholds, ABG, HG, ABG closure did not significantly change, although BC thresholds and BC closure deteriorated significantly (p < 0.05).ConclusionStapes surgery for OI can be considered as a method of treating the conductive and/or mixed hearing loss suffered by these patients; however, the surgery is more difficult than that for otosclerosis because OI cases often have extremely difficult anatomical conditions. The hearing results of OI stapes surgery differ from typical otosclerosis cases, with the ABG closure not being as good. In addition, sensorineural hearing loss inevitably progresses.     

Functional results in stapedotomy with and without CO(2) laser

The authors have studied the use of the CO(2) laser in performing primary stapedotomy in 451 patients affected by otosclerosis, operated between 1996 and 2000. Footplate perforation was practised with a traditional method, by means of a microdrill, in 169 subjects. A CO(2) laser was instead used in other 282 cases; the authors effected the platinotomy with a single spot, repeated if necessary, with the diameter adjusted to the caliber of the prosthesis. This procedure allowed a smooth-edged perforation to be obtained. In the 282 laser-operated patients, there was a significantly higher proportion having closure of the cochlear reserve within 10 dB than that found in the cases where the microdrill was used. Moreover, no postoperative anacusia or severe vertigo were recorded; this confirms the safety of the CO(2) laser as regards the inner ear. The functional results, therefore, document the validity of the exposed technique.