Analysis of the efficacy of fiber laser stapes fenestration in the treatment of 58 cases of otosclerosis and ossicular malformation

Abstract

Objective: To explore the surgical efficacy of conductive deafness caused by otosclerosis and ossicular malformation with 980 nm fiber laser stapedial floor fenestration. Methods: Data of 58 patients (ears) who were diagnosed with conductive deafness caused by otosclerosis (49 ears) and ossicular malformation (9 ears) treated by 980 nm Diode laser small-fenestra stapedotomy were retrospectively analyzed. Air conduction (AC) thresholds, bone conduction (BC) thresholds, and air-bone gap (ABG) at 0.5, 1, 2, 4 kHz pure tone frequencies were compared before and 3 months after surgery, and the advantages and precautions of 980 nm fiber laser were summarized. Paired t-test (SPSS 26.0 software) was use to analyze the listening data. Results: Fiber optic laser stapes fenestration and artificial stapes implantation were successfully completed in all 57 cases (ears), the hearing of another one patient (ear) with floating malformation of detachment of stapedial floor was lower than that before surgery. Preoperative at 0.5, 1, 2, 4 kHz frequencies of AC thresholds, BC thresholds, and ABG were (65.4±9.7) dB, (27.2±8.9) dB, and (38.2±9.8) dB respectively. Postoperative 3 months at the same frequency of AC thresholds, BC thresholds, and ABG were (42.1±11.3) dB, (26.9±6.6) dB, and (15.2±9.1) dB. Preoperative and postoperative of AC threshold and ABG were statistically significant at 0.5, 1, 2, 4 kHz (t value was 13.270 and13.948, both P<0.01), and yet the BC threshold was not statistically significant before and after surgery at the same frequency (t=0.418, P>0.05). Conclusions: 980 nm fiber laser stapes floor fenestration is an effective treatment for conductive deafness caused by otosclerosis and ossicular malformation.