Aim: To compare the severity of early postoperative vestibular disorders after stapedotomy using two techniques of stapes footplate fenestration: the Skeeter microdrill and the manual perforator.
Audiologists and surgeons involved in stapedotomy care should note that the choice of stapes footplate fenestration technique (Skeeter microdrill vs. manual perforation) may influence early postoperative vestibular outcomes; findings warrant review when counselling patients pre-operatively.
Postoperative vestibular disturbance is a significant short-term morbidity of stapedotomy, and comparative technique data can directly inform surgical planning, patient counselling, and postoperative audiology and vestibular rehabilitation protocols.
- 01Compares Skeeter microdrill vs. manual perforation for stapes footplate fenestration in stapedotomy.
- 02Primary focus is early postoperative vestibular (balance) disorders.
- 03Published in Pol Merkur Lekarski (2026); comparative design strengthens internal validity versus single-arm case series.
- 04Findings are directly relevant to otologists and audiologists managing post-stapedotomy patients.
- 05Outcome differences between techniques, if significant, could change surgical and counselling practice.
The method of stapes footplate fenestration (Skeeter microdrill vs. manual perforation) influences the rate or severity of early postoperative vestibular disorders following stapedotomy.
studyunclearBoth the Skeeter microdrill and manual perforation are established techniques for stapes footplate fenestration in stapedotomy.
studysupported- PMID
- 42435460
- DOI
- 10.36740/Merkur202603104.
- Journal
- Pol Merkur Lekarski
- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 3
- Population
- Patients undergoing stapedotomy for conductive hearing loss
- Intervention
- Skeeter microdrill fenestration of the stapes footplate
- Comparator
- Manual perforation of the stapes footplate
Primary outcomes
Incidence and severity of early postoperative vestibular disorders