To compare early results in isolated ossiculoplasty under potentialized local anesthesia and general anesthesia.

A single-center retrospective observational study included 123 consecutive patients treated by isolated ossiculoplasty between September 1, 2019 and March 1, 2021 in a French private hospital. The main aim was to compare the management pathway (operating room time, hospital stay, outpatient management rate, “by-pass” rate of direct return to the outpatient department without passing through the recovery room) according to potentialized local anesthesia versus general anesthesia. Secondary endpoints comprised audiometric results and post- and intraoperative complications (nausea and vomiting, pain, dizziness, crossover). The significance threshold was set at P < 0.005. The STROBE guideline was followed.

In total, 123 patients were included: 41 with local and 82 with general anesthesia. The two groups were comparable except for type of surgeon. The rate of outpatient treatment was significantly greater with local anesthesia (93% vs. 55%). Operating time and operating room, recovery room and outpatient room occupancy times were shorter with local anesthesia. Postoperative dizziness was significantly more frequent with general anesthesia. Audiometric results did not differ.

Potentialized local anesthesia can improve organizational management and outpatient rates in ossicular surgery, without impairing the quality of results.