[The influence of age and sex on the results of otosclerosis surgery].

The influence of age and sex on auditory improvement after stapes surgery was investigated retrospectively on 127 otosclerotic ears (99 subjects) that were followed up for 6 months postoperatively. The prostheses used were the Shuknecht-type Teflon wire piston (87 ears), the House-type wire loop (29 ears), and the Cawthone-type Teflon piston (11 ears). While closure of the air-bone gap after surgery was good at 2 kHz, it was poor at 8 kHz and frequencies lower than 1 kHz, and especially poor at 250 Hz. At all frequencies, both air and bone thresholds were significantly improved by the surgery, but the greatest improvements in air and bone thresholds resulted from the use of Teflon wire pistons. Ears receiving Teflon wire prostheses were divided into 5 age groups: under 20 years, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, and 50 or above. Both air and bone thresholds at higher frequencies before surgery worsened with increasing age. However, there were no significant differences among age groups in the postsurgical improvement of either air or bone thresholds. Similarly, no gender-related differences in either air or bone thresholds were recognized postsurgically. The authors speculate that light cases of otosclerosis are common among Japanese patients, while severe cases are rare even among the elderly.