Stapedectomy in combat pilots.

Between 1977 and 1995, nine stapedectomies using the Robinson-vein graft technique were performed in six high-performance airplane pilots diagnosed with otosclerosis. All of them returned to full active duty after stapedectomy without any vestibular symptoms. These cases illustrate that it can be safe for fighter or test pilots to return to full flight status after stapedectomy. These cases also suggest that full flight status can be reinstated as soon as 3 months after stapedectomy without endangering flight safety.