Stapedectomy in tympanosclerosis

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of stapedectomy and type 5b ossiculoplasty in cases with tympanosclerosis.Stapedectomy operations have been applied in 60 (42 female, 18 male) tympanosclerosis cases where stapes could not be mobilized since they were embedded in tympanosclerotic mass, between January 1995 and December 2000. Their average age was 34 (range 12–64) years. The follow-up period was 3 months in 54 cases, 6 months in 48 cases, 12 months in 36 cases, 24 months in 29 cases and 36 months in 23 cases.According to 500–2000 Hz pure tone hearing average of the cases, while average air bone gap (ABG) was 34.13 dB preoperatively, 18.12 dB at third month, 15.77 dB at sixth month, 12.08 dB at 12th month and 12.68 dB at 24th month postoperatively. Hearing gain (HG) over 10 dB was achieved at 78% of the cases at third month, 81% at sixth month, 89% at 12th month, 93% at 24th month and 91% at the 36th month postoperatively.In conclusion stapedectomy in tympanosclerosis is recommended in selected cases whose stapes could not be mobilized and whose tympanic membrane is intact or grafted at previous operations within 6 months postoperatively.