Stapes mobilization for otosclerotic deafness; the monitored peribasal technique.

Direct surgical operation on the stapes footplate region in the treatment of hearing loss due to otosclerosis has been revived. In the last 100 cases of a total series of 600, the peribasal stapes mobilization (stapedolysis) technique was completely successful in 62 per cent, partially successful in 29 per cent and a failure in 9 per cent. Stapes mobilization requires precise microsurgical technique monitored by audiometry during the surgical procedure. It appears that mobilization is the preferred approach to the surgical treatment of otosclerosis, but fenestration of the vestibular labyrinth is an important secondary procedure in some cases. Successful restoration of hearing requires adequate mobility of the footplate coupled with physiological continuity of the drum ossicular chain mechanism.