Early hearing assessment after "one shot" CO2 laser stapedotomy: is it helpful to predict inner ear damage and the functional outcome?

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Auditory testing is not routinely performed within 4 to 6 weeks after stapedotomy because hearing acuity is thought to be transiently depressed. The early postoperative effects of the 1-shot carbon dioxide (CO2) laser have never been reported. The purpose of this study is to present data for auditory thresholds measured within 2 days of laser stapedotomy and at the last follow-up.

STUDY DESIGN:

The study was prospective and unblinded.

SETTING:

The study was conducted at the "A. Gemelli" University Hospital.

METHODS:

From January to December 2008, 58 subjects underwent "1-shot" CO2 laser stapedotomies for otosclerosis. Pure-tonal audiometric test was performed preoperatively 2 days after surgery and at least 1 month after surgery during the follow-up.

RESULTS:

The closure of air-bone gap began in the early postoperative period and continued to improve through the late postoperative period. Bone-conduction hearing thresholds were stable even in the early postoperative follow-up and remained stable trough all the course of the study.

CONCLUSION:

Our data, supported by the literature, suggest that 1-shot CO2 laser stapedotomy is an effective and safe procedure for the treatment of otosclerosis.

• Authors: Bruno Sergi, Alessandro Scorpecci, Claudio Parrilla, Gaetano Paludetti
• Journal: Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology (Otol Neurotol) Vol. 31 Issue 9 Pg. 1376-80 (Dec 2010) ISSN: 1537-4505 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 20087244 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Anesthesia, Local
• Audiometry
• Audiometry, Pure-Tone
• Auditory Threshold (physiology)
• Bone Conduction
• Ear, Inner (injuries)
• Female
• Hearing Tests
• Humans
• Laser Therapy (adverse effects)
• Lasers, Gas
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Otosclerosis (physiopathology, surgery)
• Postoperative Complications (diagnosis)
• Predictive Value of Tests
• Prospective Studies
• Stapes Surgery (adverse effects)
• Treatment Outcome
• Young Adult