Long-Term Results of Stapes Mobilization: A statistical analysis

Abstract

A new statistical procedure is presented, by means of which the long-term results of mobilisation surgery have been accurately predicted. This procedure takes into account the dynamical aspect of the otosclerotic disease, be it operated upon or not, which is largely responsible for the unreliability of the statistical data based upon the traditional methods of evaluation. It is demonstrated that transcrural or footplate stapes mobilisation is an unjustified operation in the early and rapidly progressing stages of otosclerosis, though it retains a certain validity in the slowly progressing disease of mature age, especially if the cases are carefully selected. The statistical method applied appears to be recommendable also in the prediction of the late results of the more advanced technics of stapes surgery.