Laser Operation for Otosclerosis
Surgery is the only option to prevent or cure otosclerosis. There are two procedures: a stapedectomy, in which the stapes section of the ear is entirely replaced, and a stapedotomy, in which a laser is used to allow a prosthetic to be placed in the ear.
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Otosclerosis
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Otosclerosis is a disorder that affects the stapes bone in the ear, causing hearing loss. The stapes is a bone deep inside the ear that receives the vibrations that have gone through the ear's other muscles and bones. The stapes vibrates in the oval membrane, which sends waves through the inner ear fluids, which then stimulate the inner ear's hair cells, in turn stimulating the hearing nerve, which then sends the signal to the brain, resulting in sound. Otosclerosis refers to tiny growths of bone on the stapes that stop the bone from vibrating and causing loss of hearing.
Types of Surgery
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The stapedectomy replaces the entire stapes with a prosthetic, improving vibrations and hearing. Lasers are sometimes used to make an opening in the fixed plate of the ear to reach the stapes. A stapedotomy is a laser treatment that does not replace the stapes but rather adds a prosthetic to it.
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Laser Surgery
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A stapedotomy also places a prosthetic in the ear to perform the function that the diseased stapes cannot. Rather than destroying the stapes with a surgical tool, a laser is used to cut a hole in the bone. The prosthetic is then attached to the incus, which is the bone to which the stapes is anchored. The prosthetic is finally tightened around the incus to ensure that it does move or break away. The operation is usually relatively quick.
Benefits
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Not all cases of otosclerosis can be fixed with laser surgery. However, even in extreme cases, enough hearing may be regained by the procedure to allow the use of a hearing aid. Also, while other treatments, such as hearing aids, may relieve the symptoms for a time, surgery is the only way to fix otosclerosis. Some medicines such as calcium, fluoride or vitamin D may prevent hearing loss, although this has yet to be proved.
Considerations
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It is important to avoid putting any strain on the ear for at least a week after surgery. This includes avoiding scuba diving, loud noises, any action that may cause dizziness, head colds and blowing your nose. It is possible, but rare, that surgery to treat otosclerosis may cause complete hearing loss.
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References
- Photo Credit ear image by Connfetti from Fotolia.com
