Stapes revision surgery: intraoperative findings and audiological results. A multicentric study

Objective. To explore the results of revision stapes surgery within a multicentric cohort, focusing on hearing improvements and correlation with the type of postoperative hearing loss experienced and related findings during the revision procedure. Methods. A retrospective study of 308 consecutive revision stapes surgeries performed ay 5 Otorhinolaryngologic Units in Pisa, Turin, Pavia, Piacenza, and Rome between 2010 and 2023 was accomplished. Results. The most frequent causes leading to revision stapes surgery were prosthesis dislocation (56.1%), use of a short prosthesis during primary surgery (13.9%), and an eroded incus (17.2%). The median air conduction threshold significantly improved after revision surgery, while the bone conduction threshold remained stable. Conclusions. Revision stapes surgery effectively improves hearing in patients with unsuccessful initial operations, with a significant reduction in the air-bone gap (ABG). The audiological results in our patients are favourable. ABG closure within 10 dB was achieved in 57.2% of cases and within 20 dB in 76% of cases. Stapes revision surgery is feasible and provides an acceptable success rate.