Flexible Fiber Optic Carbon-Dioxide Laser Assisted Stapedotomy in Otosclerosis

Abstract

Objective . The aim of this study is to analyze the hearing and vestibular outcome of patients with otosclerosis who have been operated on by fiber optic flexible CO 2 laser. Study Design . A preliminary and retrospective study was conducted in 30 patients with otosclerosis. Results . Comparative analysis of average air conduction thresholds ( 53.41 ± 11.81 dB versus 26.37 ± 11.04 dB) and air-bone gaps ( 34 ± 9.92 dB versus 12.03 ± 6.02 dB) before and after the surgery were statistically significant (<0.001). Air-bone gap closed within 10 dB or less in 50% of the cases and within 20 dB or less in 90% of the cases. Average bone conduction threshold after the surgery ( 16.68 ± 12.00 dB) was better than that before the surgery ( 20.13 ± 8.59 ). However, no statistically significant difference was found ( p = 0.213 ). One patient had tinnitus after surgery. None of the patients had severe sickness or vomiting due to surgery. Eleven patients (36.6%) had very mild nystagmus beating toward the counter-lateral side. All patients were stable at 10 days after surgery. Conclusion . The results indicate that fiber optic flexible CO 2 laser provides the surgeon with a very safe and precise surgical instrumentation even in cases with extensive and obliterative otosclerosis.