The Development of Stapes Surgery After Five Years: Mobilization--Fenestra Ovalis

Abstract

It is now five years since stapes mobilization has been established as a safe and practical procedure for restoring the hearing in otosclerotic deafness. I described my approach to the stapes through the external auditory canal in 1952.¹ Since then, many otologists in America and abroad have used this technique in an estimated 25,000 cases of otosclerosis. Indirect Mobilization at the Neck The first technique described^1-10 consists in lifting the drum out of its sulcus and folding it upward upon itself, thus bringing into view most of the middle ear cavity (Fig. 1). Working only through the external auditory canal with an ordinary ear speculum, one removes all of the bone of the posterior canal wall hiding the incus and stapes. With this exposure, the entire long process of the incus, the incudostapedial footplate, facial nerve, and round window can all be seen clearly and in great detail