Stapedotomy or Stapedectomy

What is a stapedotomy?

A stapedotomy (say «stay-pee-DAW-tuh-mee») is surgery to mobilize the hearing bones in your ear.

When is surgery recommended?

When you have a pattern of hearing loss that suggests the hearing bones are stiff or immobilized. This is most commonly caused by a disease called otosclerosis.

What should I expect from surgery?

You are usually fully asleep during surgery. The surgery is usually done through the opening of the ear canal, but is sometimes done through a cut (incision) behind your ear if the ear canal is too small. A laser or a drill is used to create a small hole in the hearing bone so a titanium-nickel prosthesis can be placed.

What are the risks?

Surgery is successful in most patients (>90%), but risk include: Creating a hole in the eardrum, Failure to improve hearing (1 to 2 in 20), Partial or total hearing loss (1 to 5 in 100). Damage to the nerve that controls the movement of your face (1 in 1000). Changes in taste. Development of cholesteatoma (skin trapped in the inner parts of your ear) which requires further surgery to remove

What should I expect after surgery?

You will probably go home on the same day as your surgery. You will have a bandage over your head or ear which can be removed in 48 hours. You will likely have some material in your ear that will be removed when you return to our clinic for a post-op visit. Most people can go back to work or their normal routine in about 1 to 2 weeks. But if your job requires strenuous activity or heavy lifting, you may need to take more time off. Your doctor can help you decide when to go back to work.