Clinical experiences with the CO2 laser in revision stapes surgery

Abstract

Successful restoration of audition in revision stapedotomies involves precise identification and correction of the pathological condition without traumatizing the inner ear. Conventional surgical procedures often lead to unsatisfactory audition results and inner ear damages. In revision stapedotomy, the CO² laser provides the ear surgeon with three important advantages over the conventional technique: 1. improved diagnostic and therapeutic precision, 2. better stabilization of the new prosthesis in the oval niche, and 3. reduction of inner ear trauma through non-contact atraumatic management.

The surgical procedure of revision stapedotomies with the CO² laser is discussed, and case examples are used to illustrate the diversity of pathological conditions that can be treated by CO² laser surgery. Our experience with revision CO² laser stapedotomy suggests an improvement of postoperative audition compared to the conventional technique and demonstrates a significant elimination of sensorineural deafness. The CO² laser enables the ear surgeon to precisely and reliably correct conduction deafness recurring after stapedotomy.