980-nm diode laser for middle ear surgery

We used a 980 nm diode laser at 15 W in the continuous wave mode, delivered through a 200 micrometer optical fiber to perform in vitro laser stapedotomies in a model system. We could measure the temperature increase of the perilymph after the laser had penetrated the footplate. More than 0.5 mm away from the footplate the temperature increase was 3 degrees Celsius or less. However, a measurable amount of the laser light penetrated more than 4 mm in our model perilymph system. There was no evidence of acoustic waves and the optical fiber was easy to use. We anticipate that this laser is safe and effective for laser stapedotomies.