Stirrup plastic
The stirrup plastic (also called stapes, stapedectomy, stapedotomy or Otoskleroseoperation) is an operational method in which the smallest ossicles in the middle ear (the stapes ) against a prosthesis is replaced.
This is necessary in patients in whom the stapes have become firmly attached , which is usually the result of otosclerosis , a disease in which new bones form in the middle and inner ear (otosclerotic focus), which fixes the normally mobile stapes. The consequence of this fixation is that the stapes can no longer vibrate, cause conductive hearing loss and have to be replaced by an artificial stirrup. The operation can be performed under local or general anesthesia . If the course is normal, the hearing will improve significantly as a result of the operation.
surgery
After making a small incision at the entrance to the ear canal, the operation is carried out through the ear canal with the aid of a surgical microscope . The eardrum is partially released, revealing the ossicles. With very fine instruments, the stirrup and its footplate are removed (stapedectomy) and replaced with a prosthesis. It is gentler if the otosclerotically thickened and immobile stapes footplate is left and a hole is drilled into it with a fine diamond drill, into which a pin prosthesis is then placed and fixed to the long anvil process (so-called stapedotomy). The eardrum is then brought into its starting position and tamped.
Risks and possible complications
Slipping of the artificial stapes with impaired hearing, dizziness and balance disorders (mostly only temporary, only rarely lasting), temporary taste disorders, ringing in the ears, keloid at the skin incision.
Very rare: hearing deterioration up to deafness of the operated ear, facial nerve paralysis ( facial nerve paresis ) due to damage to the nerves during the operation (temporary or permanent), extremely rarely meningitis, brain abscess, cerebral fluid flow.
