Laser stepedotomy for otosclerosis.
The argon laser microscope recently developed by the author is used to vaporize the stapes tendon, the posterior crus and a rosette of holes in the stapes footplate in the surgical treatment of otosclerosis. An autogenous vein--stainless steel piston assembly is used to reconstruct the stapes portion of the ossicular chain. The surgical technique and results in a preliminary series of 11 patients are reported. Rationale and advantages over conventional stapedectomy are discussed.
D001299:Audiometry; D005276:Fenestration, Labyrinth / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D010040:Otosclerosis / Q000601:surgery*; D011300:Preoperative Care; D013201:Stapes Surgery / Q000379:methods*; D014724:Vestibular Function Tests