title: Total footplate extraction in stapedectomy.
abstract: The concept of total footplate removal in stapedectomy surgery is recommended as the preferred technique providing that the surgery is atraumatic. Only that part of the footplate which can be removed easily should be removed; in 4,761 consecutive stapedectomies a total footplate removal could be accomplished in 74%. Total and partial footplate removal necessitates a connective tissue graft to seal the oval window and must be coordinated with a suitable prosthesis which is efficient, functional and self-centering. The successful results between total and partial footplate removal are not statistically significant when employing the criteria of air-bone gap closure to within 10 dB, but when comparing the complete air-bone gap closure rate there is a statistically significant difference with total footplate removal providing a more favorable hearing result.
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D013201:Stapes Surgery / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D014680:Veins / Q000637:transplantation