title: The influence of Er. YAG laser application in fenestration to the inner ear.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Erbium (Er.) YAG laser may be usable for middle ear surgery because of its ability to ablate bony tissue. We investigated the inner ear damage caused by the fenestration to the inner ear with Er. YAG laser.
  
  
  METHODS
  We investigated the influence of Er. YAG laser on the inner ear using electrophysiological technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Several cases had a decrease in endocochlear potential (EP) and cochlear microphonics (CM) after the fenestration to the inner ear.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Er. YAG laser is safe if it is used for the small and superficial fenestration to the stapes footplate. However, a few extra pulses after fenestration are dangerous.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, University of Nagasaki School of Medicine, Nagasaki, Japan. oku@uresino.go.jp
authors.forename: Ryota
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Oku
authors.forename: Fujinobu
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Naoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tsukasaki
authors.forename: Hidetaka
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kumagami
authors.forename: Haruo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Takahashi
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000818:Animals; D003055:Cochlear Microphonic Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D005276:Fenestration, Labyrinth / Q000379:methods*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D053685:Laser Therapy