title: Laser-assisted stapedotomy with a Nitinol heat-crimping prosthesis: Outcomes compared with a platinum fluoroplastic prosthesis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the hearing outcomes achieved with a Nitinol heat-crimping prosthesis when used with a laser-assisted stapedotomy for otosclerosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective assessment of 50 stapedotomies performed in 48 patients. Data collected included audiological results and duration of hospital admission. Outcomes were compared with a previously reported series of 66 stapedotomies performed in 59 patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary referral center and private practice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the Nitinol group, hearing was improved in all cases (100%). The air-bone gap (ABG) was closed to within 10 dB in 48 (96%). This group's results are significantly better (P < or = 0.01) than those of the platinum fluoroplastic group, in whom ABG was within 10 dB in 74 percent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laser-assisted stapedotomy, under local anesthesia with sedation, using a Nitinol heat-crimping prosthesis is a safe, well-tolerated technique with which excellent audiological results can be achieved.
authors.affiliation: University of Melbourne, Department of Otolaryngology, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. epudel@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Eduard I
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Pudel
authors.forename: Robert J S
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Briggs
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000497:Alloys; D005260:Female; D006309:Hearing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009998:Ossicular Prosthesis; D010040:Otosclerosis / Q000601:surgery*; D010984:Platinum; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D013201:Stapes Surgery / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000497:Alloys; C013616:nitinol; D010984:Platinum; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene