Evaluation of Hearing Results in Otosclerotic Patients after Stapedectomy

INTRODUCTION: Otosclerosis one of the most common causes of conductive hearing loss is more common in females and in their middle ages. It is usually a bilateral and progressive disease. Surgical operation is suggested as the exclusive management of otosclerosis. This study aims to evaluate the hearing results after stapedectomy in otosclerotic patients in Ahwaz. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case series study, the records of otosclerotic patients who had undergone stapedectomy or stapedotomy in Imam Khomeini and Apadana Hospitals of Ahwaz, Iran during 1997-2007 were evaluated. All the operations were performed by a single surgeon (first author). Data were analyzed using SPSS and descriptive statistical tests. RESULTS: One hundred ninety seven patients were included in this study. 66.8% were female and the age range was 20-40 years. The affected ears were reported as follows: right ear (65%), left ear (35%) and bilateral (18%). ABG was reported as less than 10db in 63.9% of patients; between 10 to 20db in 29.99% and more than 20db in 5%. Surgical complications were observed in 4.5% of patients (1.5% intraoperatively and 3% postoperatively). DISCUSSION: Saccular dysfunction seems to be an important finding in SSNHL. Although it is more prevalent in the patients with vertigo, it can be found in the non-dizzy cases. VEMP disturbance in SSNHL shows more extensive pathological involvement. CONCLUSION: Just like previously conducted studies, satisfactory surgical outcomes with rare complications were observed in the appropriate population under study.