Stapes suprastructure preservation by decapitation technique in management of stapedial otosclerosis. Five years follow up

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate stapedial decapitation technique with preservation of the stapes suprastructure for the treatment of stapedial otosclerosis.Patients and methodsThis study included 42 patients (17 males and 25 females) subjected to decapitation technique and 32 patients (10 males and 22 females) subjected to the usual small fenestra technique as control.ResultsHearing sensitivity and air bone gap of the two groups before and five years after operations were analyzed. The mean hearing threshold level (500–4000 Hz) of preoperative versus postoperative was compared. There were no significant postoperative statistical differences in hearing threshold improvement and air bone gap closure between the two techniques used in this study all over the postoperative five years.ConclusionStapes decapitation is an alternative technique for stapedial otosclerosis in order to refine the surgery of stapedectomy with the advantage of preservation of stapes suprastructure together with stapedial tendon. This refining in surgery is for obtaining better hearing outcome with fewer complications as well as adds simplicity in the original technique and gives another choice for the surgeon increasing the plethora of stapes surgery.