Stapedotomy

This is an operation to remove (actually bypass) the stapes bone, one of the three tiny bone(ossicles) of the middle ear. The operation is performed the hearing loss caused by the disease called otosclerosis.

The middle ear cavity ,enclosed on one side by the eardrum(tympanic membrane) and on the other by the bony wall of the inner ear, house the sound conduction mechanism called the ossicular chain. The 3 ossicles are suspended from the roof of the middle ear cavity by ligaments and muscles . the latin name of these bones hint at their combined function in transferring sound vibrations received at the eardrum to the inner ear. The bottom of the stapes(the ‘footplate’ region) occupies the oval window in the bony casing of the inner ear and it is at this point that the inherited condition known as otosclersosis there is an overgrowth of bone around the footplate ,causing the stapes bone to become fixed and unable to vibrate. The condition, twice as common in women, is gradual in the bony casing of the inner ear ,and it is at this point that inherited condition known as otoscerosis interferes with the transmission of sound. In otosclerosis interferes with the transmission of sound. In otosclerosis there is an overgrowth of bone around the footpalate, causing progressive hearing loss. Stapedotomy is performed to bypass the immobile stapes with an artificial piston. A very small hole (<0.8) , is created with the laser in the footplate to allow for placement of the prosthesis. It is usual to operate only on one year at a time, starting with the poorer one. The second ear, if affected, can necessarily to the same degree or at the same time.

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