Stapedial Reflex Evaluation after Preservation of Stapedial Tendon during Stapedectomy

Abstract

Background: Otosclerosis is one of the leading causes of conductive hearing loss with an intact tympanic membrane in adults. The  stapedius tendon is routinely transected during stapes surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the success rates of stapedectomy with  preservation of the stapedial muscle tendon compared to stapedectomy without preservation of the stapedial muscle tendon in the  operative management of otosclerosis.

Methods: This is a retrospective study. It was conducted in the Otorhinolaryngology Department,  Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, from October 2018 to January 2021. The sample size was 36 cases, arranged into two groups: the  first group with preservation, and the second group with a cut of the stapedial tendon. The size of each group is 18 cases.

Results: There  was no significant difference between both groups in hearing improvement, but there was a significant difference between both groups  in post-operative tinnitus improvement and acoustic reflex preservation.

Conclusions: Preservation of the stapedial tendon in the  surgical treatment of otosclerosis is associated with improvement in functional outcomes as well as providing the patient with a stapedial  reflex that has a primary protective effect against strong acoustic stimuli.