The use of lasers in surgery has evolved from the pages of science-fiction novels to the practices of the physicians at the Florida Ear and Sinus Center.

Allowing pinpoint accuracy, instantaneous cauterization of bleeding vessels, and high energy cutting while minimizing trauma to the surrounding tissue, the laser has provided the surgeon with an important alternative to traditional surgical techniques.

LASER EAR SURGERY

The laser stapedotomy is a procedure which permits the surgeon to operate without touching the stapes. An opening is made in the frozen stapes footplate and a prosthesis is inserted to allow sound waves to enter the inner ear which restores the sound conducting mechanism and the hearing. There is very little bleeding or scarring in this procedure and patients go home several hours after surgery. Doctor Silverstein was one of the first in the country to use the laser in this procedure. The results have been excellent and long lasting.

Laser STAMP (Laser Stapedotomy Minus Prosthesis)

In 1995, Dr. Silverstein developed a new technique called the Laser STAMP. The laser is used to free the frozen stapes bone in patients with minimal otosclerosis, preserving most of the patient's normal stapes bone. This restores the patient's hearing, without using a prosthesis. The advantages of preserving most of the patients' stapes include reduced sensitivity to noise, decreased incidence of noise damage to the ear, and reduced chance of trauma to the inner ear from changes in pressure during flying or diving.

In the event it is not possible to perform the Laser STAMP, an alternate procedure, the Laser Stapedotomy Using the Causse Prosthesis, is also available.

Click here to see a RealVideo clip of the LaserSTAMP procedure!

In 1995, Dr. Silverstein developed a new technique called the Laser STAMP. The laser is used to free the frozen stapes bone in patients with minimal otosclerosis, preserving most of the patient's normal stapes bone. This restores the patient's hearing, without using a prosthesis. The advantages of preserving most of the patients' stapes include reduced sensitivity to noise, decreased incidence of noise damage to the ear, and reduced chance of trauma to the inner ear from changes in pressure during flying or diving.

In the event it is not possible to perform the Laser STAMP, an alternate procedure, the Laser Stapedotomy Using the Causse Prosthesis, is also available.

Preservation of the Stapedius Tendon

The stapedius tendon contracts when the ear is exposed to loud noise. (see drawing to learn the anatomy). Its function is to protect the inner ear from noise trauma. It also restrains the incus (second bone of hearing) from moving when there are large pressure changes in the environment as in riding in an elevator, diving, or landing in a plane. This tendon is routinely cut by most surgeons when doing stapes surgery to restore hearing in otosclerosis. Preserving the stapedius tendon can be done with the laser. Patients having this tendon functioning have less intolerance to noise, hear better in noise, and have less chance of damage to the inner ear from pressure changes.

Laser Tympanostomy (LAT)

The laser is used to make a small opening in the ear drum to relieve fluid buildup or relieve pressure sensation from a blocked eustachian tube. In 80% of cases, serous otitis media can be cured without insertion of ventilation tube. The opening in the ear drum closes in approximately three weeks. A study is under way to treat children with LAT early in the course of serous otitis media in order to reduce the need for ventilation tubes. The procedure is being done in the office with local anesthesia ear drops avoiding the need for hospitalization or general anesthesia. Interested parents can call the office for an appointment.

The physicians at the Florida Ear and Sinus Center also employ the use of laser technology in treating ear disease, snoring problems, and even some varieties of tonsil disease - all within the outpatient office setting! Consultations about laser surgery options are made by appointment. Phone the Florida Ear & Sinus Center at Toll Free: 1-888-418-9200 to schedule your personal evaluation.

Drawings are reproduced with permission of CIBA CLINICAL SYMPOSIA, from the Diagnosis and Management of Hearing Loss, Vol,44, No. 3, 1992. Authors, Silverstein,MD, Wolfson, MD, and Rosenberg, MD.

To learn more or schedule an appointment, call Florida Ear & Sinus Center Toll Free 1-888-418-9200.