Stapes revision surgery: intraoperative findings and audiological results. A multicentric study.

Abstract

Objective: To explore the results of revision stapes surgery within a multicentric cohort, focusing on hearing improvements and correlation with the type of postoperative hearing loss experienced and related findings during the revision procedure.

Methods: A retrospective study of 308 consecutive revision stapes surgeries performed ay 5 Otorhinolaryngologic Units in Pisa, Turin, Pavia, Piacenza, and Rome between 2010 and 2023 was accomplished.

Results: The most frequent causes leading to revision stapes surgery were prosthesis dislocation (56.1%), use of a short prosthesis during primary surgery (13.9%), and an eroded incus (17.2%). The median air conduction threshold significantly improved after revision surgery, while the bone conduction threshold remained stable.

Conclusions: Revision stapes surgery effectively improves hearing in patients with unsuccessful initial operations, with a significant reduction in the air-bone gap (ABG). The audiological results in our patients are favourable. ABG closure within 10 dB was achieved in 57.2% of cases and within 20 dB in 76% of cases. Stapes revision surgery is feasible and provides an acceptable success rate.