The new Rosen1 technique of mobilization of the stapes in otosclerotic deafness has stimulated the interest of all otologists. At first, the idea of mobilizing a securely fixed stapes and expecting it to stay mobile did not seem possible. Nevertheless, the early results were encouraging because it was clearly demonstrated that normal or near normal hearing could be obtained by reestablishing ossicular conduction. The next step was to do sufficient numbers of cases and wait so that time itself could be the final judge.
My first report on this subject appeared in the Archives, in May, 1955,2 at which time 50 consecutive cases were reviewed with audiograms of all those that were successful. The first case was done in March, 1954, two and one-half years ago. Since then, a total of 500 operative cases have been performed and observed, so that now certain conclusions can be fairly definitely