Limitations:
Due to the retrospective setting and the low number of cases, the statistical power of this study islimited, which could explain why no statistical difference,but non-inferiority was demonstrated.
The data represents the results of a single institution and a single surgeon. Evaluation is based exclusively on subjective hearing tests, however, pure-tone audiometry is still considered as the gold standard for monitoring hearing outcomes after middle ear surgery.
Conclusion:In our experience, revison stapedotomy is an efficient treatment option in case of persistent ABG after primary surgery. Periprosthetic fibrosis is the most common reason behindcompromised audiological outcomes after stapedotomy. We also concluded that fibrosis formation itself has at least the same negative effect on ABG development as any other surgical failure, although revision could be more challenging in such cases. According to these findings, the exclusion of postoperative inflammatory reactions in the middle ear are mandatory for optimal results. The role of perioperative corticosteroid treatment could play a major role in this process. Further investigation is recommended concerning this topic.
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