Fully endoscopic laser stapedotomy: is it comparable with microscopic surgery?

Background: Microscopic stapedotomy is very successful and has long history, but it still has some constraints. Thus, otoendoscopy is increasingly popular nowadays. Aims/Objectives: The retrospective review study was to investigate the role of endoscopic laser stapedotomy in treating patients with otosclerosis. Materials and methods: Seventeen patients who received endoscopic laser stapedotomy from April 2014 to July 2017 were enrolled and compared to 13 patients who had microscopic stapedotomy from February 2009 to March 2012. The anatomical structures, operative time, and postoperative hearing outcomes were assessed in two groups. Relation between external acoustic canal and operative time was also analyzed. Results: Using an endoscope, the operative field was clear, with easily identified anatomy, without need to sacrifice bony structures. The operative time was significantly longer in the endoscopic group in 2014 and decreased in the following years. There was no significant difference of hearing improvements between the two groups. There was a weak correlation between the width of the external auditory canal and the operative time. Conclusions and significance: Fully endoscopic stapes surgery is a feasible and safe surgical technique and results in satisfactory hearing outcomes. However, surgeons take longer to master the technique and to achieve shorter endoscopic operative times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]