Minimally Invasive Stapedotomy

Minimally Invasive Stapedotomy

Stapes surgery is undeniably the most precise and exacting otologic surgery ever. This procedure involves replacing the tiny bone called the stapes, making a precise opening in the “round window” or the opening into the inner ear and accurate placement of an artificial bone or prosthesis to reconstruct the conductive mechanism of the middle ear. The placement of the window, the length and width of the prosthesis and penetration into the window are critical factors for long-term success of the surgery.

In Dr. Manoj’s ENT, combining the world’s most advanced microscopes with precise instruments like the skeeter drill, an opening of 0.8mm is made in the footplate and a 0.6mm piston is inserted, giving fabulous hearing results. Due to the sealing of the fenestra with a vein graft, patients do not suffer from vertigo and are able to leave hospital 2 hours after surgery and take up normal, day-to-day activities immediately. This is made possible by years of surgical experience and a large load of stapedotomies done, one of the highest in India. We have an enviable record of no profound hearing loss in over 1400 stapedotomies performed.

Stapedotomy Post Operative Care

Hospital Stay

 The patient stays for a few hours in the hospital

Post operative medications

 The patient takes prescribed antibiotics and pain killers provided in the kit.

Diet

 A regular diet may be resumed from the day of the surgery.

Wound Care

 The operated ear is usually packed and full of blood. It will feel clogged and you may hear crackling sounds.

 Do not allow any water to enter the operated ear for the first 10 days after the surgery. Protect the ear       during showering or washing the hair with a large cotton ball coated with Vaseline. It is a good idea to have     someone help you with washing the scalp to avoid water. When finished washing, remove the coated       cotton. A shower cap provides extra protection.

 Do not blow your nose. Blowing can build excessive pressure in the operated ear and displace the eardrum       and the Teflon piston which was inserted into the ear.

 If you have to sneeze, please do it with your mouth wide open to avoid pressure build up in your ear.

Routine Activities

 Patient can travel by road or rail on the day of the surgery and by air five days after the surgery.

 Patient can go to work the day after the surgery.

 Patient can have a head bath the day after the surgery with ears plugged tightly with cotton smeared with       Vaseline.

 The patient can swim and dive 4-6 weeks after the surgery.

 The patient should not lift heavy weights or strain 4-6 weeks after the surgery.

 The can resume in scuba diving and sky diving a few weeks after the surgery.

Post operative visits

 The first visit after the surgery is on the 10th day after surgery for wound inspection only.

 The second visit is 3 weeks from the day of the surgery

 Subsequent visits are 2nd month, 3 months post operative and every 3 months for the first year

 The patient does an audiogram from the second visit and during every visit mentioned above.

 Patient based outside India will have to be there for at least the first two visits and make their subsequent       visit on the next travel to India.

Call Us

 If you experience pain, discharge or vertigo.