Hyaluronate gel stapedotomy.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate hearing results and postoperative dizziness after stapedotomy with application of sodium hyaluronate gel (HG) to the oval window niche during fenestration of the footplate.

STUDY

DESIGN

Case-control study comparing 27 stapedotomies with HG and 32 stapedotomies without HG.

OUTCOME MEASURE: Preoperative and postoperative audiometric data, postoperative dizziness (vertigo or dysequilibrium), and nystagmus.

RESULTS

Postoperative hearing results were not statistically different for the 2 groups. There were no cases of postoperative sensorineural hearing loss greater than 10 dB. Early postoperative dizziness (chi(2) = 4.08, P = 0.043) and nystagmus (chi(2) = 5.05, P = 0.024) were reduced in the HG group.

CONCLUSIONS

HG stapedotomy is safe and effective and results in less early postoperative dizziness and nystagmus when compared with the standard technique of stapedotomy. The application of HG to the oval window niche to prevent blood from entering or perilymph from escaping the vestibule during fenestration of the stapes footplate may contribute to a quicker recovery in outpatient otosclerosis surgery.