Information of Stapedectomy and Otoscopy

Index
S.No 1 2 3 4 5 Title Details on Stapedectomy Stapedectomy - Facts to know Otoscopy - The health check-up for the Ear Stapedectomy - The Ear surgery and the process of hearing Stapedectomy - Post operative Specifics

Details on Stapedectomy
Stapedectomy is the surgical procedure of the middle ear through the ear canal, to improve the hearing. The procedure is mostly done after administering local or general anesthesia. The world's first stapedectomy is credited to Dr. John J.Shea Jr. who performed it in 1956. Docturs.com/dd offers detailed information on stapedectomy including the pre-operative and post-operative care. The stapedectomy procedure involves the removal of the innermost bone stapes from the other two incus and malleus. This procedure is a very successful surgical treatment for deafness that is caused by the medical condition otosclerosis. And this medical condition can be diagnosed by the family history, symptoms and the results of the hearing tests of the patient. In some cases, the loss of hearing is gradual while some may experience balance problems, tinnitus or dizziness. An ear specialist otologist or audiologist, should administer the hearing test rather than the family doctor of the patient or any online doctors. It is necessary to determine whether the hearing loss of the patient is conductive i.e. caused by a lesion or a disorder in the middle ear or ear canal or is it sensorineural i.e. caused by an inner ear disorder. This determination test may also be done with the help of computed tomography (CT) scan or an x-ray study of the head. There are two tests which are commonly used to distinguish between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss, and they are Webers test and Rinnes test. The latter includes an examination involving a vibrating tuning fork held against the mastoid bone and outside the ear canal. If the person suffers from conductive hearing loss, he will hear the tone as louder when the fork touches the bone, but in normal cases, the sound would be louder when held near the outer ear. In the former option of Webers test, the vibrating tuning fork is held on the midline of the forehead and is questioned about in which ear the sound seems louder. The affected ear will hear the sound louder in the person with conductive hearing loss.

There may also be some risks attached to the stapedectomy procedure and the most serious risk is increase in hearing loss which is in about 1% of the patients. Due to this reason, the surgery is performed on only one ear at a time. The other complications may be ringing in ears, vertigo, change or lack of taste, partial facial nerve paralysis, perforated eardrum or damage of the bone chain attached to the eardrum. The vertigo may require surgery and it may be an indication of incomplete seal between the middle ear and inner ear fluids. Such a condition calls for immediate ear examination, bed rest and sometimes, an operation to reopen the eardrum to check the prosthesis. Robert Danilov at Docturs talks in detail about the other parts of stapedectomy procedure. Docturs.com/dd is medical vertical offering detailed medical information for healthy living.

Stapedectomy - Facts to know

Stapedectomy is the removal of the middle to improve hearing. There are three bones in the middle ear - the incus, the malleus and the stapes. The stapes bone is removed for better hearing, with an instrument called otoscope. The procedure can be seen and understood better with the help of online medical videos. After this procedure, if severe dizziness and vertigo are experienced, it is an indication of the incomplete seal between the fluids of the middle ear and the inner ear. If this is the case, it calls for immediate bed rest and examination by the ear surgeon. Experiencing dizziness and headache is common for the first two days after surgery. There is a swelling and as it subsides, and the ear drum dries up and the packing is absorbed or removed, the hearing improves within two weeks and continuously gets better over next 3 months. The patients suffering from tinnitus before the surgery will get good relief within a month and half of the procedure. And almost 90% patients have significant improvement in hearing while only about 8% experience minor improvements. The percentage of risks and complications is very low in the stapedectomy procedure as it is very safe. Only 2% of patients may have additional hearing loss in the operated ear while 1% may lose hearing completely. While 9% patients may have disturbances in their sense of taste, only negligible 0.1% patients can experience rare complications like damaged eardrum, infection and facial nerve palsy. The other alternatives to medical procedure may be medications, stapedetomy, hearing aids or just waiting for good results. While some with mild hearing loss may support

watchful waiting and postpone the surgery, some may go for hearing aids. Though medications are not specific that cure otosclerosis, it is said that fluoride or calcium contents are effective in prevention of hearing loss by slowing down abnormal bone growth. But it should be taken care that such medications should not be used during pregnancy and doctor should be consulted for it. Another alternative is the stapedotomy surgical procedure similar to stapedectomy. The only difference is that the surgeon uses the laser to cut a hole in the stapes in order to insert the prosthesis rather than removing the stapes. In addition, some ear surgeons use the laser to free the stapes bone without inserting prosthesis. This variation, however, works best in patients with only mild otosclerosis. One should be aware about the consequences of chosen surgical procedures and its alternatives for safety and alertness. One should be alert about detailed information on every medical ailment for a better and healthy living.

Otoscopy - The health check-up for the Ear

Have you been experiencing pain in the ear? Do you feel a pinching or pricking sensation in your auditory canal? Chances are that you suffer from an ear infection. Here, docturs.com presents a medical discussion for your knowledge and benefit. Below is discussed, the otoscopy procedure which is used to examine the ear.

The ear is divided into three sections specifically the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. The otoscopy procedure is performed to examine the external area of the ear. A medical device called the aurioscope is used to carry out the examination. The entire process takes only about 6 to 7 minutes, at most. The process is simple and painless. The patient will have to tilt their head to an appropriate angle to allow the healthcare expert to perform the examination.

On the docturs.com website, you will find expert authors and medical professionals discussing the subject at length. The platform is also open to members so that they can share information. In the article by Steven Clancy, you will find a detailed explanation about the procedure as well as the device, tools, and methods used. The otoscope is a thin, slender device with a handle and a head. It has a head and an electric light source which helps the physician to look at the affected areas. The infections of the middle ear, otitis media, and otitis externa are some of the ear diseases that can be detected with this method. The medical videos on the website, posted by Steven Clancy are useful in providing visual information. In the video titled, The Ear Examination, the procedure of otoscopy is explained with the process being carried out with a female patient. The various steps are shown here. First the physician views the external areas of the ear and then peers in with the help of the otoscope. The ear wax is cleared and basic treatment for infection can follow the inspection. The video also has the otoscopic visual images which give clarity on what can be seen in the ear. Such check-ups are performed when an individual suffers from some discomfort or has hearing problems. Nevertheless, you could always go through the procedure during a regular health checkup. Members and regular users of docturs.com find it to be a useful platform since it is a medical vertical which offers information, medical products, news, etc so as to assist a healthy way of life.

Stapedectomy - The Ear surgery and the process of hearing

If you have been suffering a gradual loss of hearing, chances are that the stapes bone in your ear is damaged. Why does this damage occur? What is the stapes? And is a surgery needed to restore your hearing ability? - docturs.com presents a medical explanation to the surgery of the middle ear. Discussed below are the procedure, need and reason to undergo a stapedectomy procedure.

The ear has three parts the external ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. The external ear comprises of the ear pinna which helps direct sound waves to the ear. The sound then travels through the ear canal which has the earwax. The earwax is present so as to evade infections and germs. The sound waves move further and reach the middle ear. The main role of this part of the ear is to convert waves into vibrations which can reach the inner ear and help interpretation of sound. Finally, in the inner ear the, the sound reaches a liquid medium in the cochlea. Microscopic hair present here convert the vibration into the nerve signals which are comprehended by the brain. When the sound waves reach the middle ear, they are converted into vibrations after passing through the eardrum. The eardrum vibrates because of sound waves and the vibrations are carried forth by three little bones called the malleus, incus and stapes. Due to conditions like otosclerosis the stapes bone in the ear becomes damaged and consequently stapedectomy needs to be performed. The reason for damage is the formation of a spongy bone that does not allow the stapes to vibrate or carry forth the vibrations of sound waves to the inner ear. Since sounds fails to reach the inner ear, nerve signals to the brain are not made and consequently, the patient suffers a loss of hearing. On the docturs.com website this subject has been discussed by expert author, Robert Danilov has shared informative articles and images. In his post, he talks about the procedure, the need for the procedure to be performed as well as the possible complications. In the post titled the "Contraindications of Stapedectomy", he has mentioned the conditions in which the surgery should not be carried out. For such a surgery, it is important for the patients general health to be steady, cochlear reserve should be adequate, the patient should not be suffering from tinnitus and vertigo, besides other guidelines. At docturs.com we always advocate a healthy way of life and provide relevant information about various diseases. We are a medical vertical which provides all medical products, online shop, books, medications as well as a platform for interaction.

Stapedectomy - Post operative Specifics

Stapedectomy is the method employed to restore an individuals hearing ability. This is an operative method where a small inner bone of the ear is replaced with an artificial prosthesis. The middle ear bone called the stirrup is replaced with the tissue graft methodology so that the individual can hear without difficulty. Complications are very uncommon but it may be required for the patient to make follow-up visits with the doctor for clearing of the crusts from the site of surgery.

The patient will be given medications and antibiotics. However, complete recovery may take about 6 weeks when the patient can be free form the symptoms and discomfort. Since the ear is also a centre for body balance it is advised that for at least a day post Stapedectomy surgery, the individual must rest at home. Driving, working, walking, and such activities should be avoided. Your body coordination will remain affected for at least 24 hours and hence, one must be careful keeping this point in mind. Even small actions like sneezing or blowing your nose can cause trouble! In a completely inevitable situation, try finding relief by keeping your mouth open. In words, you can sneeze or cough with your mouth open to avoid pressure on youre the regions operated upon. From the hygiene point of view, you can bath and wash your face but do not let water enter your ear region. If your care giver asks you to do so or uses water for medical purposes, it is alright. But besides that, at all times its important to keep your ears protected with a cotton swab or petroleum jelly to avoid any type of damage. A packaging may be kept in the ear as a protective shelter. This must not be disturbed while changing the cotton saw. Medications prescribed by the doctor should be strictly used to avoid infections. Generally, ear drops prescribed are effective in treatment. After the Stapedectomy procedure, it is possible that you might hear some clicking sounds or experience disbranches in your auditory chamber. But these will heal with time. Some other symptoms may include draining of liquid from the channel along with swelling of tissues in the ear. Doctors online, medical websites, and online medical platforms are important for gaining knowledge about various methods and practices that must be followed post-operation. Although there are no serious concerns, the general apprehensions associated with any surgical process hold true even here and hence care must be taken.

Reference:
Stapedectomy : - http://docturs.com/dd/pg/groups/11314/stapedectomy/ Otoscopy :- http://docturs.com/dd/pg/groups/2512/otoscopy/ Doctors online, medical products and medical videos : - http://doctors.com/dd/

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