From Posterior Crus Stapedectomy to 0.6 mm Stapedotomy—Towards Reliability in Otosclerosis Surgery

In the 1980s, in Oulu, clinical otosclerosis was primarily managed with posterior crus stapedectomy and in the 1990s, the method was changed to stapedotomy. This retrospective study was carried out to assess the results of different methods of stapes surgery in the hands of one surgeon. Subsequent primary stapes operations in 1989–1990 (91 operations including 74 posterior crus stapedectomies and I Causse stapedotomy) and in 1993–1994 (117 operations including I posterior crus stapedectomy, 95 Causse pistons) were analysed. Changes in air and bone conduction thresholds were compared 5 weeks, 7 months and 19 or more months postoperatively. There was a significant difference in hearing (air-conduction—AC and bone-conduction — BC) in favor of Causse 0.6 mm teflon piston prostheses as compared to posterior crus stapedotomies at 7 months and 19 or more months. Likewise, the 4 kHz gain at the same time was also significantly better with Causse 0.6 mm all teflon piston. At 5 weeks, 81% of posterior crus stapedec...