Stapes surgery, also known as a stapedectomy, is an operation to remove or replace the middle ear bone known as the stapes. This procedure is often done in conjunction with other procedures such as hearing aid fitting and tympanoplasty. It can be performed on people of all ages and may be necessary for those who experience frequent ear infections because their eardrums cannot heal properly due to over-cleaning. The surgery can take anywhere from 45 minutes to three hours depending on how complicated it is.
Let’s Know More About Stapedectomy Surgery
1. What is a Stapedectomy and why would I need one?
A Stapedectomy is a type of surgery that is performed in the ear. The primary reason someone would need this type of surgery is if they have otosclerosis or presbycusis, both conditions requiring stapes surgery to replace the middle ear bone known as the stapes. Otosclerosis causes problems with how sound waves are transmitted to the inner ear cochlea, causing hearing loss and/or ringing in the ears.
In presbycusis or age-related hearing loss, there is a hardening of the stapes bone that results in damage to the tiny fibers that convert sound vibration into an electrical signal. This can also result in difficulties with hearing and possible ringing in the ears. This process may be done through a small incision in the eardrum or by way of a tiny drill hole in the bone behind the eardrum.
2. How does the Stapedectomy surgery work?
The surgery itself involves removing or replacing the stapes with a prosthetic device. The removed bone is usually replaced by a prosthesis made of titanium and shaped like one-half of the natural stapes. This titanium implant is secured to the incus (an ear ossicle) and can be inserted through an opening in the eardrum or by way of a small hole drilled into the incus. In cases where there is otosclerosis, surgery may involve tightening or cutting some fibers to allow sound transmission from the stapes to the inner ear.
3. What are the benefits of Stapedectomy?
While not a cure for hearing loss, Stapedectomy surgery can improve or restore a patient’s hearing. It can also relieve ear discomfort, tinnitus, and vertigo symptoms. Patients who have had stapedectomy surgery often describe it as life-changing because they can hear better. Patients must know there is no guarantee that their hearing will improve after this surgery, but many have reported significant improvement.
4. What are the risks of stapedectomy surgery?
Some potential risks of stapedectomy surgery include damage to structures within the inner ear or eardrum, dislocation of the artificial stapes from its location, and facial weakness as a result of nerve injury during surgery. Rarely, some patients have experienced intense pain after surgery, but this may be treated with medication.
5. What is recovery like?
Recovery times vary from person to person and often depend on what other surgeries were performed in conjunction with the stapedectomy surgery. In most cases, patients will go home later on the same day as surgery and spend about a week resting their ears while waiting for any swelling to resolve itself. More serious complications such as facial paralysis may take several months to resolve, but the other symptoms like tinnitus and vertigo should improve shortly after surgery.
Conclusion
Are you suffering from any of the following conditions? Hearing loss, ringing in your ears, dizziness or vertigo, a feeling that your ear is plugged up. it’s important to consult with a professional as soon as possible about a stapedectomy surgery specialist in Dubai.
The sooner you do this the better chance you have for recovery and relief from these unpleasant symptoms! Visit us today and speak with one of our specialists who will be more than happy to answer all your questions. They can also advise on what options are available for the treatment depending on how severe your condition may be.
You owe it to yourself not only because we want to make sure you get treated but also because living with this condition is no way to live your life. You deserve relief, so get on it!