The process of stapedectomy is performed as illustrated below:The surgeon first removes parts of or the entire original stapes bone.The stapes bone is then replaced by an artificial device.This artificial device enables sound waves to be sent to the inner ear.The surgeon uses an operating microscope to perform this procedure through the ear canal.S/he lifts the eardrum to expose bones in the middle ear.After removing the stapes bone and placing the artificial device, the surgeon would put back the eardrum in place with packing material that would hold the eardrum in place. This packing material is later absorbed by the body.The whole procedure of stapedectomy takes around 90 minutes. Most patients are able to return home on the same day of the surgery.Local anesthesia is used for relaxing the patient. Patients are not put to sleep completely. The surgeon also uses numbing medicine at the site of surgery.