Type of Surgery
Information

Last updated: 11/24/2009
Stapedectomy is a surgical procedure in which the innermost bone (stapes) of the three bones (the stapes, the incus, and the malleus) of the middle ear is removed, and replaced with a small plastic tube surrounding a short length of stainless steel wire (a prosthesis). The operation was first performed in the United States in 1956.
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The human ear requires a number of highly specialized anatomical structures in order to transform sound wave energy into actually sounds recognized by the brain. This animation shows the various structures of the outer, middle and inner ear and how they work together to detect sound.
Other Information
A stapedectomy is a surgical procedure of the middle ear performed to improve hearing. The world's first stapedectomy is credited to Dr. John J. Shea, Jr., performed in May, 1956, the first patient being a 54 year-old housewife who could no longer hear even with a hearing aid. In recent years, Dr. William H. Lippy, from Warren, Ohio, has been credited with a multitude of advances in the surgery including his speciality which is revision surgery.
Other Information
ENT surgeons diagnose and treat conditions of the ears, nose, throat, head and neck, and undertake some cosmetic procedures.
-Dr David Luff
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