摘要
Background:Although the utility of laser fiber in microscopic stapes surgery has been documented in the past,their role can be highly emphasized in endoscopic stapes surgery,especially in difficult anatomical situations.Methods:This is a retrospective analysis of cases where a total of 46 patients(22 in conventional stapedotomy and 24 in CO_(2) laser‐assisted stapedotomy)were included in the study.The clinical parameters were assessed both in the preoperative and postoperative periods in the respective groups and later compared 12 weeks after stapedotomy.Results:A total of 90.90%(20/22)of the patients in the conventional stapedotomy and 95.83%(23/24)of patients in laser‐assisted stapedotomy had<20 dB of AB gap in the postoperative period(P=0.71).Canaloplasty was required in six patients in the conventional stapedotomy and none of the patients in the laser group needed the same(P=0.01).Chorda tympani nerve was manipulated in 59.09%(13/22)and 25.00%(6/24)of cases in the conventional group and in the CO_(2) laser group,respectively(P=0.01).Conclusion:Although the audiological outcomes with fiber‐enabled CO_(2) laser in endoscopic stapedotomy are comparable to conventional surgery,it is a better tool in a narrow auditory canal,requiring minimal manipulation of the chorda tympani nerve.
