BALANCE AFTER STAPEDECTOMY - THE MEASUREMENT OF SPONTANEOUS SWAY BY POSTUROGRAPHY

Sway was measured by static posturography in 25 patients undergoing st apedectomy, 16 first-side and nine second-side operations. Measurement s were taken pre-operatively and at 1 week and 6 months after surgery, 25 age-matched controls were also tested. In both the first and secon d side groups, sway was greater at 1 week after surgery than pre-opera tively when relying on vestibular function alone (P = 0.01 first-side, 0.05 second-side, 0.01 both sides taken together). By 6 months, sway measurements were no longer significantly different from pre-op or con trol values. Thus, it appears that there is a measurable increase in p atients' sway following stapedectomy but this is well compensated by v isual and proprioceptive information, and resolves fully with time. Pa tients undergoing a second side stapedectomy do not appear to fare wor se than those undergoing first-side surgery.