Abstract
PurposeOur aim was to determine whether perioperatively administered corticosteroid treatment has any beneficial effect on the outcome of stapes surgery, with special regard to the audiological results and early postoperative morbidity.Methods84 CO2 laser stapedotomies performed in our institute between 2013 and 2018 were included in our investigation. All cases underwent preoperative and mid-term postoperative pure-tone audiometric evaluation. Vestibular complications were also evaluated. The cases were subdivided into two groups, 23 patients received perioperative i.v. methylprednisolone treatment (“S”) while the other 61 patients (“nS”) did not receive any adjuvant pharmacological therapy. The data were analyzed retrospectively using IBM SPSS Statistics.ResultsCO2 laser stapedotomy proved to be a successful intervention with a significant improvement in ABG and AC thresholds as well. Long-term BC levels were significantly better compared to preoperative ones in the S group; however, in the nS group, no difference could be shown. Hearing and ABG gain were significantly superior in group S [28.1 dB (SD11.2) vs. 18.1 dB (SD 10.9) and 23.9 dB(SD 9.8) vs. 17.2 dB (SD 9.5), respectively].ConclusionNo significant inner ear damage was detectable in the results of our CO2 laser stapedotomy method; however, the positive effect of corticosteroid treatment could be demonstrated through the postoperative hearing levels. We found no statistical difference in early postoperative morbidity. According to our data, the routine administration of corticosteroids during stapes surgery could be an issue worthy of consideration. The effects of perioperative treatment vs that on the first day after surgery, and topical vs. systemic treatment could be the subject of further investigation in a prospective manner.
Highlights
Since the description of the surgical treatment of stapes footplate fixation by Shea in 1956 [1], the technique underwent numerous minor and major changes
Stapedotomy definitely led to better audiological results and fewer complications [2] compared to the original method, stapedectomy
Further improvements could be observed with the introduction of laser-stapedotomy [3, 4]; not enough data are available to draw a distinction between the outcomes of the different laser techniques
Summary
Since the description of the surgical treatment of stapes footplate fixation by Shea in 1956 [1], the technique underwent numerous minor and major changes. Stapedotomy definitely led to better audiological results and fewer complications [2] compared to the original method, stapedectomy. Further improvements could be observed with the introduction of laser-stapedotomy [3, 4]; not enough data are available to draw a distinction between the outcomes of the different laser techniques. According to available data, CO2 and KTP laser are superior compared to microdrill and other laser techniques [5]. Each of the above-mentioned developments in the surgical technique resulted from the urge to decrease the risk of causing inner ear damage, being the cause of SNHL and vestibular dysfunction, the major complications after stapes surgery
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
