Endoscope-Assisted Stapedotomy with Microdrill: Comparison with a Conventional Technique
Yuvatiya Plodpai MD*, Viraporn Atchariyasathian MD*, Wandee Khaimook MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hatyai, Songkhla, Thailand
Objective : To compare endoscope-assisted microdrill stapedotomy with the conventional technique.
Material and Method: A retrospective comparative study of 37 otosclerosis stapes fixation surgeries performed with the
conventional technique or the endoscope-assisted microdrill stapedotomy were evaluated. Audiometric data and intraoper-
ative and postoperative complications were recorded.
Results : The mean operating time was 128 min in the endoscopic group and 132 min in the conventional group, (p = 0.72).
Residual air-bone gaps of ≤10 decibels were obtained in 83.3% and 47.4% of the patients in the endoscopic group and the
conventional group, respectively, (p = 0.04). No footplate fractures and incidences of postoperative vertigo and chorda
tympani nerve injuries were found in the endoscopic group. Postoperative vertigo was found in 31.6% of the conventional
group, and 26.3% of the patients in the conventional group had undergone an endaural surgical approach owing to inade-
quate exposure under the microscope.
Conclusion : An endoscope-assisted microdrill stapedotomy was associated with significantly better hearing results, a lower
postoperative vertigo rate, and fewer footplate fractures and chorda tympani nerve injuries than the conventional technique.
Keywords : Otosclerosis, Endoscope, Microscope, Stapedotomy, Microdrill
