Abstract
Purpose of Review
Stapes surgery is challenging yet rewarding hearing restoration procedure. Endoscopic ear surgery is a relatively new technique for managing otologic pathology. Stapes surgery presents a unique challenge when performed via a transcanal endoscopic approach because the surgeon is confined to using one hand for management of the footplate and placing the prosthesis.
Recent Findings
Outcomes have been published for endoscopic stapes surgery, with several studies comparing endoscopic with the traditional microscopic approach. Several authors noted the need for less bone removal and less pain after endoscopic stapes surgery. Complication rates following stapes surgery did not seem to differ whether the endoscope or the microscope was used. Nonetheless, the overall audiometric results appear to be equivalent.
Summary
Endoscopic stapes surgery has several potential benefits including visualizing unique anatomic variants, improved visualization of the anterior crus, the need for less bone removal in the setting of malleus fixation, and to date equivalent hearing outcomes.
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Brandon Isaacson is a consultant for Advanced Bionics, Olympus, Medtronic, Storz, and Stryker. Jacob B. Hunter reports other from Advanced Bionics, MED-EL, Oticon, and Medtronic. All other authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.
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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Ossicular Chain Reconstruction
Electronic Supplementary Material
Video 1
This video demonstrates transcanal endoscopic ear surgery for the management of congenital footplate fixation. A diode laser is used to transect the crura while a microdrill and oval window rasp are used to perform a partial stapedectomy. Perichondrium is used to seal the oval window and a titanium notched bucket handle prosthesis is used to reconstruct the ossicular chain (MOV 3.02 gb)
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Isaacson, B., Lee, K.H., Walter Kutz, J. et al. Endoscopic Stapes Surgery. Curr Otorhinolaryngol Rep 8, 79–82 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40136-020-00266-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40136-020-00266-x