International Licensing Examination (ILE) Practice Test

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What surgical procedure involves the removal of the stapes and its replacement with a prosthesis?

Stapedectomy
Ossiculoplasty
Tympanoplasty
Fistula repair

The correct answer is: Stapedectomy

The procedure that specifically involves the removal of the stapes, one of the three primary ossicles in the middle ear, and its replacement with a prosthesis is known as stapedectomy. This surgery is typically performed to treat hearing loss caused by otosclerosis, a condition where the stapes becomes immobilized due to abnormal bone growth. In this procedure, the surgeon removes the stapes to allow for better sound transmission in the ear, and the prosthesis serves to restore the function of this tiny bone. Effective hearing restoration often follows successful stapedectomy, making it a critical intervention for patients suffering from certain types of conductive hearing loss. In contrast, ossiculoplasty refers more broadly to the reconstruction of the ossicular chain and can involve various bones, not just the stapes. Tympanoplasty is concerned with the repair of the tympanic membrane and possibly the ossicles, while fistula repair addresses abnormal openings in structures, often relating to the inner ear or surrounding areas, rather than focusing primarily on the stapes.