Lasers in surgery for chronic ear disease.

This article describes specific situations in which the laser has been found to be useful in surgery for chronic ear disease. In the opinion of the authors, the most important application is the atraumatic removal of cholesteatoma from a mobile stapes. Additional uses include precise and hemostatic removal of diseased tissue (polyps, granulations, adhesions) and manipulations upon an intact ossicular chain without induction of vibrational trauma. Potential complications such as facial nerve and inner ear injury are considered.