A common stapes surgery at surgery center facility in California includes
| |
Units |
Avg Cash price |
Provider |
Ear, nose, & throat doctor visit provider fee
First time visit
Standard
|
1 |
$172 |
Provider fee to incise (cut) or remove ear bone
With drilling
Standard
|
1 |
$1,795 |
Facility |
Surgery center fee to incise (cut) or remove ear bone
Standard
Standard
|
1 |
$3,259 |
Imaging |
Radiology fee for CT scan of ear
Standard
Standard
|
1 |
$364 |
Prescriptions |
HYDROCODONE-ACETAMINOPHEN
Standard
Standard
|
30 |
$18 |
Anesthesia |
Anesthesiologist fee to be "put under" for procedure
Level 3
Standard
|
1 |
$234 |
Anesthesiologist time to be "put under" for procedure
Per minute
Standard
|
276 |
$640 |
Total average cash price |
|
A common stapes surgery at outpatient hospital facility in California includes
| |
Units |
Avg Cash price |
Provider |
Ear, nose, & throat doctor visit provider fee
First time visit
Standard
|
1 |
$172 |
Provider fee to incise (cut) or remove ear bone
With drilling
Standard
|
1 |
$1,795 |
Facility |
Outpatient Hospital fee to incise (cut) or remove ear bone
level 5
Standard
|
1 |
$7,035 |
Imaging |
Radiology fee for CT scan of ear
Standard
Standard
|
1 |
$364 |
Prescriptions |
HYDROCODONE-ACETAMINOPHEN
Standard
Standard
|
30 |
$18 |
Anesthesia |
Anesthesiologist fee to be "put under" for procedure
Level 3
Standard
|
1 |
$234 |
Anesthesiologist time to be "put under" for procedure
Per minute
Standard
|
276 |
$640 |
Total average cash price |
|
A stapedectomy involves removing part of or the entire stapes bone and replacing it with a prosthesis. This tiny bone, the closest bone to the inner ear, transmits sound waves to the inner ear from the middle ear. Stapedectomy surgery is performed to restore this transmission of sound waves to improve hearing.
There are several reasons you might need to undergo a stapedectomy. For instance, if you sustained a stapes bone fracture due to a traumatic accident or have a congenital abnormality of the stapes.
However, the most common reason for getting a stapedectomy is otosclerosis, the abnormal growth of extra bones around the stapes. These extra bones stop the stapes from vibrating, so it cannot transmit sound waves, leading to hearing loss.
Whether you need a stapedectomy or other ear treatment, it is vital you have your health insurance in order. Sidecar Health allows you to define your coverage, putting you in charge of your health.
Stapedectomies are generally performed as outpatient procedures and typically take around 90 minutes. You are usually given a local anesthetic during the procedure, so you are numb to any pain and relaxed but not asleep.
As with any surgical procedure, having a stapedectomy comes with its risks. These are:
- As the nerve that innervates the facial muscles passes through the ear, there is a small chance it could get damaged during the surgery causing partial or complete facial paralysis.
- There is a low risk of hearing loss which can be permanent and complete.
- Temporary dizziness that lasts for a few days after the surgery.
Initially, you may have an earache or headache and experience some dizziness after the surgery.
Your ear will feel blocked for a week after the surgery due to the cotton or gauze packing in the ear canal. After removing the packing, you may notice some bloody fluid draining from the ear for a day or so.
Some patients report immediate improvement of their hearing after the surgery, but for most, it takes two to four weeks and continues improving some two months post-op. At first, your ears may be extra sensitive to noise, so you should avoid noisy places.
It’s important to give yourself time to rest during your recovery, and one way to reduce stress related to the operation is to ensure you are covered by health insurance that works for you.
For the first two weeks after surgery, mild, intermittent discomfort is to be expected. It is also normal to experience pain above or in front of the ear while chewing.
However, if you experience persistent ear pain that is not relieved by over-the-counter painkillers, you should consult your doctor as it may indicate post-operative infection.
A successful stapedectomy is defined as a closed air-bone gap (ABG) of less than 10dB. Depending on the condition for which you are receiving surgery, studies have shown that the success rate can vary between 95% for obliterative otosclerosis and 64.7% for simultaneous malleus ankylosis.
Pediatric stapedectomy is performed successfully 93.5% of the time, while the success rate for seniors is approximately 94.5%.
For a week or so after surgery, avoid bending over or making sudden movements as they can cause dizziness.
You should avoid strenuous exercise for two to four weeks after your surgery. Likewise, lifting anything that could make you strain -including groceries or a child- should be avoided until your doctor gives you the go-ahead.
You should not get your ear wet for four to six weeks after the operation (wear a soft silicone earplug in the shower, not hard plastic) and should not go in an airplane.
About the stapes surgery Average Cash Prices
This procedure is most commonly performed at either a surgery center or an outpatient hospital.
Surgery centers, also known as ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), are independent, licensed medical
facilities that are governed by distinct regulatory requirements compared with a hospital. Procedures
performed at an ASCs are often less expensive than when they are performed at an outpatient hospital,
but they typically offer fewer complimentary services, and may not have the full-range of support
services that a hospital provides.
Outpatient facilities are outpatient departments or clinics that may be within or next to a hospital,
but is owned and run by the affiliated hospital. These facilities can perform surgical treatments and
procedures that do not require an overnight stay. Procedures performed at an outpatient hospital are
often more expensive than when they are performed in an ambulatory surgery center, but outpatient
hospitals may offer more complimentary and support services for patients because they are connected to
the hospital system.
