Simultaneous bilateral stapes surgery--a pilot study.

CONCLUSIONS

The short-term postoperative results of bilateral stapes surgery were satisfactory. Hearing results between the two ears were comparable and there was no increased complication risk for the second ear. The results are encouraging, although a larger series and longer follow-up time are needed to confirm them.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the preliminary outcome of simultaneous bilateral stapes operation.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Eight patients suffering from bilateral otosclerosis and one from osteogenesis imperfecta were prospectively included in the pilot study. Both ears were operated under general anesthesia by the same surgeon. Inclusion criteria were mean conductive hearing loss of 15 dB or more at frequencies 0.5-4.0 kHz and negative Rinne fork test (256 Hz) on both sides. Patients with mean thresholds for sensorineural hearing over 40 dB or other otoneurological diseases or medications were excluded. Pure tone audiogram was performed 3 months after the operation.

RESULTS

The air-bone gap diminished from 28 (range 19-41) to 10 (range 4-23) dB in the first ear and from 24 (range 16-40) to 8 (range 3-19) dB in the second. Four patients experienced mild, temporary dizziness during rapid head movements, but that resolved fully. No patient suffered significant sensorineural hearing loss.