Main Articles

Hearing results of 1145 stapedotomies evaluated with Amsterdam hearing evaluation plots

V E Kisilevsky^a1 c1, S N Dutt^a2, N A Bailie^a3 and J J Halik^a1a4

^a1 Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada

^a2 Department of Otolaryngology, Apollo Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

^a3 Department of Otolaryngology, University of Toronto, Markham-Stouffville Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

^a4 Department of Otolaryngology, Markham-Stouffville Hospital, Markham, Ontario, Canada

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate the hearing results of a large series of primary stapedotomies, according to American Academy of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery guidelines and Amsterdam hearing evaluation plots.

Study design: Retrospective chart review.

Methods: The charts for 1369 consecutive stapedotomy cases were reviewed; 1145 cases of primary stapedotomy were included. Raw data from the audiometric database were evaluated using Amsterdam hearing evaluation plots. The effect on outcomes of using different audiological parameters was analysed.

Results: A significant improvement was demonstrated in mean post-operative air conduction and speech reception thresholds, with no change in bone conduction. Air–bone gap closure of 10 dB or more was achieved in 82 per cent of cases. A ‘dead ear’ occurred in one patient (0.1 per cent).

Conclusion: This study reports the largest series of primary stapedotomies evaluated with Amsterdam hearing evaluation plots. This method enables visual identification of successful and unfavourable results, providing more accurate and detailed presentation of surgical outcomes.

(Accepted November 10 2008)

(Online publication February 26 2009)

Key words

• Hearing Loss;
• Otosclerosis;
• Stapes Surgery

Correspondence:

^c1 Address for correspondence: Dr Vitaly Kisilevsky, 8 N, Room 873, Toronto General Hospital, 200 Elizabeth Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2C4 Canada. Fax: +1 416 340 3327 E-mail: vitalykis@yahoo.com

Footnotes

Dr V Kisilevsky takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper.

Competing interests: None declared