Determination of Endoscopic Stapedotomy Technique and Its Audiological Outcome

Background: Since 2011, endoscopic stapedotomy for otosclerosis has been performed in Sudan, with a growing number of patients. The clinic-demographic aspects of otosclerosis are described, as well as the surgical approach and hearing outcome following endoscopic stapedotomy, in this prospective hospital-based study that runs from November 2016 to November 2020.

Results: Total number included in the study was 91 patients. Females were 48, and males were 43 with a female to male ratio of 1.1:1. Age ranged from 19 years to 52 with a mean age of 30.6± 7 SD years. The main symptom was decreased hearing in all patients (100%); in 82 patients (90%), it was bilateral, followed by tinnitus in 80 patients (88%) while two patients (2.2%) had vertigo. Family history was stated by 2 patients (2.2%) only. Audiological assessment by pure tone audiogram (PTA) for each ear (total of 182) revealed that conductive hearing loss (CHL) is the commonest type of hearing loss in 148 ears (81.3%), mixed type in 30 ears (16.5%), while 4 ears (2.2%) were normal.

Endoscopic stapedotomy was performed for 74 patients; this technique was safe; few complications were managed successfully: one gusher and one revision, with no facial nerve injury. Majority of complications happened during the first year. Mean air bone gap (ABG) gain was 23.3± 7.2 dB, air conduction (AC) gain was 18.3 ± 8 dB, and Carhart notch disappeared in 79.5%.

Conclusions: Endoscopic stapedotomy is a safe and effective procedure with a steep learning curve and a satisfactory hearing outcome. The air bone gap (ABG) gain was comparable to international studies.