Hearing results after stapedotomy for otosclerosis: comparison of prosthesis variables

To evaluate the influence of different piston variables on hearing following stapedotomy. Data were analysed in groups according to: piston material (titanium vs fluoroplastic), shaft diameter (0.4 mm vs 0.5 mm) and crimping style (manual crimping vs self-crimping). Pre- and post-operative average air-bone gap, air-bone gap difference, success rate and operative time were evaluated. Fifty-one patients (58 ears) were included. A post-operative air-bone gap of 10 dB or lower was achieved in 44 cases, with a success rate of 75.9 per cent; 52 cases (89.7 per cent) had an air-bone gap of 20 dB or lower. The success rate was higher, but not significantly, in fluoroplastic than in titanium pistons (85 per cent vs 70 per cent). Pistons with shaft diameters of 0.5 mm and 0.4 mm had success rates of 79 per cent and 72 per cent, respectively. No significant differences were found for any audiometric parameters. There were no significant differences between manual crimping and self-crimping pistons in terms of audiometric results or success rate.