["One shot" CO2 laser stapedotomy].
BACKGROUND
In order to further optimize the surgical technique with CO(2) laser in stapes surgery, a scanner system was used to obtain a footplate perforation of 0.5-0.6 mm with only one laser application ("one-shot" stapedotomy).


METHODS
A total of 255 patients with otosclerosis were submitted to primary CO(2) laser stapedotomy with a SurgiTouch scanner. This study discusses the surgical technique and clinical results.


RESULTS
An adequately large perforation diameter could be achieved with a single shot in 68% of the patients treated. In 14% of the patients, a second laser application at the same site was necessary. In 18% the perforation had to be enlarged by several slightly overlapping laser applications without using the scanner. There was no evidence of laser dependent inner ear affections.


CONCLUSIONS
CO(2) laser, combined with modern scanner systems, is well suited for application in stapes surgery.
Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Klinik, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin. sergije.jovanovic@charite.de
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S
Jovanovic
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Schönfeld
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H
Scherer
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D001309:Auditory Threshold / Q000502:physiology; D001844:Bone Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008846:Micromanipulation / Q000295:instrumentation; D008875:Middle Aged; D009998:Ossicular Prosthesis; D010040:Otosclerosis / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation; D013201:Stapes Surgery / Q000295:instrumentation*