Laser stapedotomy.

Thirty-four ears with conductive hearing loss due to otosclerosis were operated upon using the laser stapedotomy technique. Audiological results were compared with the results of 316 non-laser stapedotomies. The post-operative air-bone gap, calculated as the difference between the post-operative air and bone conduction levels, was smaller with the laser stapedotomy group. Also, the bone conduction showed significant improvement with the use of laser. Significant sensorineural hearing loss was not found in any of the laser-treated patients. According to our results, we concluded that laser is of benefit in stapes surgery for improving the hearing results and minimizing the inner ear trauma.