An evaluation of revision stapes surgery.

The expected success rate in primary stapedectomy is well documented in recent literature, but few reports have commented on the difficulties or the expected results in revision stapes surgery. Reports have dealt with different techniques, but the surgeon and the patients should be aware of the problems and risks involved in revision stapedectomy. The records of 35 patients who had undergone revision stapedectomy were analyzed to determine the following: 1. cause of failure, 2. how to avoid these difficulties, 3. hearing results, and 4. possible identifying factors which might pinpoint those patients with a high risk for sensorineural hearing loss. A review of these cases demonstrates that the results of revision stapedectomy are different than those for primary stapedectomy.