Stapes surgery in a residency training program

Objectives: Determine parameters for successful stapedectomy and whether th is procedure can be performed safely by residents in a teaching hospital. S tudy Design: Retrospective analysis of techniques and results for 71 staped ectomy procedures. Materials and Methods: Charts mere reviewed for techniqu e, audiological test results, complications, operative time, and anesthetic used. Results: Overall, closure of the air-bone gap at 10 dB was achieved in 87% of patients. Use of general anesthesia and a laser-assisted, small-f enestra technique allowed residents to complete more operations, No severe sensorineural hearing loss was noted, Conclusions: Residents can safely and successfully perform stapes surgery using a laser-assisted, small-fenestra technique.