[Delayed vertigo after stapedotomy with good hearing results].

Abstract

Stapedial surgery is able to obtain excellent hearing results in the long-term in most otosclerotic patients. Nevertheless, some cases have vertigo and/or tinnitus after surgery, that may lead them to revision surgery. Out of a consecutive series on 115 patients, we present three cases (2,6%) with persistent vertigo after stapedotomy. These patients had residual unsteadiness despite good hearing after surgery, with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Videonystagmography showed spontaneous nystagmus towards the contralateral ear in one case, whereas the other two had a canalicular paresis in the operated side, signs of vestibular hypofunction. After vestibular rehabilitation, unsteadiness resolved in all cases, with good spontaneous compensation, without any further surgery.