Complications in stapes surgery. Options for prevention and management.

Although successful stapedectomy is very gratifying for both the patient and surgeon, complications can arise, often with disastrous results. Certain clues may alert the surgeon to risk prevention or possible complications, allowing early definitive management. This assumes critical importance today as fewer younger surgeons acquire extensive experience in stapedectomy. A thorough knowledge of possible problems and their management is mandatory for the otologist who undertakes this most challenging of operations.