Publication
Title
Persistent stapedial artery : does it prevent successful surgery?
Author
Abstract
Because of the important function of the embryologic stapedial artery, it is taken for granted by many surgeons that the finding of such a persistent artery in postnatal humans during middle ear surgery should urge maximal caution in order not to damage the artery. Often, discontinuation of the surgery is recommended. Yet this attitude is based on theoretic considerations rather than on any clinical evidence of complications following injury to this vessel. The present paper describes the embryology in relation to this specific aspect and reviews the literature on the persistent stapedial artery, emphasizing the papers dealing with injury to this vessel. In addition, we report 4 cases of persistent stapedial artery from the files of almost 20,000 patients in whom tympanotomy was performed. From all these data we conclude that injury to this artery or even complete section probably does not cause major, if any, postoperative sequelae, and that consequently, middle ear surgery is not necessarily hindered by the presence of this vessel.
Language
English
Source (journal)
The annals of otology, rhinology and laryngology. - St. Louis, Mo., 1897, currens
ANNALS OF OTOLOGY RHINOLOGY AND LARYNGOLOGY
Publication
St. Louis, Mo. : 1993
ISSN
0003-4894 [print]
1943-572X [online]
DOI
10.1177/000348949310200914
Volume/pages
102 :9 (1993) , p. 724-728
ISI
A1993LY33700014
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 19.07.2012
Last edited 23.08.2022
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