Postinflammatory osteogenic fixation of the stapes.

Stapes fixation existing with chronic otitis media has been attributed usually to either tympanosclerosis or concomitant otosclerosis. A different type of stapes fixation has been encountered which the author has termed "post-inflammatory osteogenic stapes fixation." One thousand five hundred and two surgical procedures for chronic otitis media were reviewed with 112 rigid stapes fixations found of which 19 were classified as post-inflammatory osteogenic stapes fixation. Surgical techniques were discussed, case histories were presented, and photomicrographs were shown illustrating two varieties of post-inflammatory osteogenic stapes fixations classified according to the side of the fixing lesion. The etiology and pathogenesis of this condition were felt to have a direct relationship to infection and prior surgery. Post-inflammatory osteogenic stapes fixation probably occurs more frequently than realized. Further research is needed to evaluate this type of stapes fixation.