Microdrill Versus Diode Laser in Endoscopic Stapedotomy: A Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND: Microdrill and diode laser are two different methods used in endoscopic stapedotomy for otosclerosis. These two methods have not been compared in endoscopic stapedotomy.

AIMS/OBJECTIVES: To analyze the differences between microdrill and diode laser in endoscopic stapedotomy for otosclerosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a randomized clinical trial; patients with otosclerosis were randomly divided into microdrill group (group A: n = 69) and diode laser group (group B: n = 62). Differences between the two groups were then compared.

RESULTS: The preoperative air-bone gap (ABG) was 25.40 ± 10.88 dBHL in group A and 24.84 ± 12.23 dBHL in group B, with no significant between-group difference (p > 0.05). The postoperative ABG in group A was 13.27 ± 9.91 dBHL versus 11.79 ± 10.82 dBHL in group B, and there was no significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05). The surgical time in group B (64 ± 31.23 minutes) was significantly longer than that in group A (48 ± 25.62 minutes) (p = 0.02). There were no significant between-group differences in basic patient-related data, preoperative air conduction (AC), preoperative bone conduction (BC), postoperative AC, distribution of postoperative ABG, preoperative ABG at different frequencies, and postoperative ABG at different frequencies. There was also no significant between-group difference in the average bleeding volume or number of patients with postoperative dizziness.

CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE: The postoperative improvement in hearing level in the two group was equivalent, but group A had the advantage of a shorter operation time.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.