Mobilization and Stapediolysis: Primary and long-term results

Abstract

During five years, around 100 simple mobilizations according to Rosen's technique and around 500 operations with a more advanced, varying technique where the vestibulum was opened more or less, were performed, most of them according to a rather uniform technique, complete stapediolysis. The results after one week, one month, one year, and two years for the two operating methods are compared. It shows that even a very good immediate improvement after simple mobilization will not last in most cases. With complete stapediolysis, the results are much better regarding both the primary hearing gain, the number of gains and more lasting results. In almost all cases where the primary improvement has lasted at least one year post-operatively there has been no deterioration later on.