Argon laser stapedectomy: comparison to traditional fenestration techniques.

A retrospective review of all stapedectomies performed at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary over a 13 month period was undertaken to compare the results of argon laser stapedectomy to conventional footplate fenestration techniques. Despite the fact that it was new and unfamiliar to the surgical staff, the complication rate was lower with the argon laser than with footplate fenestration by traditional pick or drill techniques. The incidence of footplate fracture or removal preventing use of a small fenestra technique was five times as likely to occur with traditional instruments as with the argon laser (p < 0.025). In revision stapedectomy sensorineural hearing loss was four times as likely to occur with traditional instruments as with the argon laser (p < or = 0.05). The argon laser did not alter the operating time. Though not ideal for every case, the argon laser endo-otoprobe offers the surgeon a significant new tool to improve the outcome in stapes surgery.