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Abstract
Conclusion. Our data prove that lasers are safe and useful instruments in stapes surgery. Good postoperative results can be attained in both KTP and Er: YAG lasers. There was no significant inner ear damage related to the Er: YAG laser use. Objective. To compare the postoperative results of stapedotomies performed with KTP and Erbium: YAG lasers in patients with otosclerosis in order to assess the risk of Er: YAG for the inner ear. Patients and methods. The charts of 152 consecutive adult patients who underwent primary laser stapedotomies for otosclerosis from 1999 to 2005 were reviewed. One hundred and thirty-seven stapedotomies (98 patients) were performed using the KTP laser and 54 stapedotomies (54 patients) were performed with Er: YAG laser. All the patients were separated in two groups according to the type of laser, which was used. Hearing results were analyzed according to the Committee on Hearing and Equilibrium Guidelines of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery. Pure-tone audiometry was performed before the surgery, three months and one year postoperatively. Results. The study indicated that KTP and Er: YAG stapedotomies have similar rates of the air-bone gap closure. There was no significant postoperative sensorineural hearing loss found in both techniques.