The authors' purpose in presenting this report is twofold: First, to describe features in the developmental and adult structure of the stapes pertinent to problems that confront the otologist in attempting stapedial mobilization; second, to demonstrate the relation of the footplate to the otic (endolymphatic) labyrinth—a relationship which inescapably places the labyrinthine duct-system in jeopardy in the course of endaural surgery. In fact, in every variant of the fundamental approach there is danger of damage to some part of the stapes or to vital parts of the endolymphatic (otic) labyrinth. The literature on early attempts at stapes mobilization, reviewed by authors herinafter listed, need not be repeated here.
Six years have elapsed since mobilization of the stapes became established as a practical procedure for the restoration of hearing in cases of otosclerotic deafness. Since then, this technique (according to Rosen, 1958) has been employed in an estimated 25,000 cases of