Stapedotomy – Otosclerosis Surgery
Otosclerosis is a condition of younger and middle-aged adults, characterized by gradual, progressive hearing loss, initially in one ear, and often in the other after several years. It is accompanied by ringing in the ear, but without pain. It occurs more frequently in women, and the first symptoms may appear during pregnancy or after childbirth. The cause of otosclerosis is not fully understood, but a hereditary tendency has been identified in some families. In otosclerosis, changes occur in the structure of the bone of the middle and inner ear, causing blockage of the ossicular chain and changes in the cochlea. The result is hearing loss, which may be conductive (due to stapes blockage) or mixed (due to both stapes blockage and cochlear changes), and may also include tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
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Stapedotomy is a surgical procedure commonly used to treat otosclerosis, a condition in which bone tissue in the inner ear gradually grows and prevents the normal transmission of sound to the inner ear. Therefore, individuals suffering from otosclerosis who have significant hearing loss and other related symptoms, such as tinnitus and dizziness, may be candidates for stapedotomy.
This surgery is usually performed on adults who have stable hearing loss, meaning their hearing has not significantly deteriorated in the past 6 to 12 months. It is also important that patients undergo a complete examination of the ear, nose, and throat, including an audiometric test, before making the decision about surgery.
In some cases, surgery may be necessary to treat otosclerosis. However, not all patients with otosclerosis require surgery. The decision depends on the severity of the symptoms and the type of otosclerosis the patient has, and ultimately, a physician will make the final assessment.
Diagnosis of otosclerosis
The diagnosis of otosclerosis, a condition that often requires stapedotomy, is made through:
- Detailed medical history
- Physical examination of the ear
- Audiometric testing
- Other diagnostic tests
During the medical history interview, the doctor will ask questions about the patient’s symptoms, such as hearing loss, dizziness, and tinnitus, as well as medical history, including any family history of hearing disorders.
The physical ear exam includes the use of an otoscope, an instrument that helps visualize the ear, to determine whether otosclerosis or other changes affecting hearing are present.
Audiometric tests, such as pure tone audiometry and speech audiometry, measure the patient’s ability to hear different sounds and words, which can indicate the presence and severity of hearing loss. Other diagnostic tests that may be used in diagnosing otosclerosis include computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and inner ear, to rule out other possible causes of the symptoms.
After otosclerosis is diagnosed, an ear, nose, and throat specialist will assess whether stapedotomy is an appropriate treatment for the patient and discuss the potential risks and benefits of the surgery. Thus, the diagnosis of otosclerosis is made through an otological examination and hearing tests (audiometry, tympanometry, cochleostapedial reflexes).
What is stapedotomy – the surgery for otosclerosis?
The treatment of choice is stapedotomy, a surgery in which a part of the immobilized stapes is replaced with a microprosthesis, restoring the sound conduction mechanism from the middle ear to the inner ear. The procedure is effective in 90% of cases, provided it is performed early in the course of the disease and using the most advanced techniques, which include laser technology and high-quality microprostheses.
Professor Mislav Gjurić, at the Poliklinika Sinteza, is the first and only doctor in Croatia to routinely use laser technology in otosclerosis surgery. He actively keeps up with technological developments in the field of microprostheses, using the most advanced nitinol and titanium prostheses. Stapedotomy, in which only a part of the stapes is removed, is a better, safer, and more conservative procedure compared to stapedectomy, where the entire stapes bone is removed. Stapedectomy, unlike stapedotomy, carries a higher risk of damaging the inner ear in more cases.
Preparation for otosclerosis surgery
A detailed consultation and examination precede the decision to undergo otosclerosis surgery. During this consultation, Professor Gjurić will explain the nature of the condition and the realistic possibilities for its correction. The final decision and the doctor’s recommendation depend on the results of the hearing tests. Stapedotomy for otosclerosis is performed under local or general anesthesia, as agreed, which requires an examination by our anesthesiologist, laboratory tests, ECG, and spirometry.
Recovery after otosclerosis surgery
After surgery, the ear is protected with a medical dressing for about one week. Bed rest is recommended for the first 48 hours, and return to daily activities is possible after about two weeks, depending on individual recovery. Strenuous physical activity should be avoided for the next two months. Patients residing outside of Zagreb may travel home with an escort two days after the surgery, and the next follow-up appointment is scheduled for seven days later The first hearing test is performed 2 months after the surgery.
Cost of otosclerosis surgery
You can check the current price list of the Sinteza Polyclinic for more information on the cost of the procedure, contact us by phone at +385 1 5005 970 or via email at info@sinteza.hr for more information. For direct appointment reservations, click on the link.
Service location
- Već 16 godina prvi izbor naših klijenataSinteza - Folnegovićeva
