Permanent Vestibular Disturbances Following Stapes Surgery in Otosclerotics

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Abstract
A total of 251 otosclerotics who had undergone stapes surgery were investigated for vestibular disturbances, assessed by spontaneous and positional nystagmus as well as the Hallpike test, 1, 3, 6, 12, and more months after the operation. Of this series 121 had undergone stapediolysis and 130 stapedectomy. One month after the operation 36 (14.5%) showed abnormal vestibular reactions, which have remained permanent in 20 (8%). In 7 (about 3%) the function was abolished. Vestibular damage was more common following stapedectomy than stapediolysis—16 (12%) as compared with 4 (3%). An abolished function was found in 2 following stapediolysis (less than 2%) and in 5 (4%) following stapedectomy. The frequency of damage was higher in men than in women, 12% and 5%. A reduced or abolished vestibular function one month postoperatively may become normalized. Reversely, a reduced reaction may progress to a completely abolished reaction. The patients' age at operation does not appear to influence the risk of vestibular complications.