stapedectomy /stā′pədek″təmē/ [L, stapes, stirrup; Gk, ektomē, excision] , the removal of the stapes of the middle ear and insertion of a graft and prosthesis, performed to restore hearing in cases of otosclerosis. The stapes that has become fixed is replaced so that vibrations again transmit sound waves through the oval window to the fluid of the inner ear. Compare incudectomy. ▪ METHOD: The stapes is removed, and the opening into the inner ear is covered with a graft of body tissue. One end of a small plastic tube or piece of stainless steel wire is attached to the graft. The other end is attached to the two remaining bones of the middle ear, the malleus and the incus. ▪ PATIENT CARE CONSIDERATIONS: Headache and dizziness are expected early in the postoperative period. The patient’s hearing does not improve until the edema subsides and the packing is removed. Possible complications include infection of the outer, middle, or inner ear; displacement or rejection of the graft or the prosthesis; and leaking of perilymph around the prosthesis into the middle ear, with ringing in the ear and dizziness.
