A Four-Year Study of the Stainless Steel Stapes

Abstract

<h3>Introduction</h3> IN THIS thesis I illustrate a technique and describe surgical principles employed by me since 1960 in the treatment of otosclerosis. Experiences and results based upon a large series of cases using my original stainless steel stapedial prosthesis are reported. Other stapedectomy techniques, well-known and well-documented, will not be elaborated upon, except insofar as they relate to this procedure. <h3>Evolution</h3> In 1960 a stainless steel stapes prosthesis was developed as a substitute for the Shea polyethylene strut in the stapedectomy-vein graft operation.¹The basic design of this prosthesis was the most important single improvement over the Shea polyethylene strut, and it was possible to a large extent by the use of a different implant material, type 316 stainless steel. The prosthesis was designed to have a rod-like shape except for its proximal attachment area where the lenticular process of the incus would be inserted into a small socket