Extrusion rates and hearing results in ossicular reconstruction.
OBJECTIVE
To examine hearing results, extrusion rates, and factors likely to affect outcome in patients who underwent ossicular chain reconstruction with Plasti-Pore and hydroxylapatite total ossicular replacement prostheses (TORPs) and partial ossicular replacement prosthesis (PORPs).


METHODS
Retrospective chart review was used. Subjects were 1210 consecutive tympanoplasties with or without mastoidectomy that involved ossicular reconstruction with TORPs (n = 560) or PORPs (n = 650) performed in a tertiary referral neurotologic private practice. Only 20% of the cases were primary surgeries, with the majority planned second stage or revision procedures.


RESULTS
Average last postoperative air-bone gap (ABG) was 19.2 dB with closure of the ABG to within 20 dB in 62.9%. Hearing results were better for cases who had not had previous surgery, in those with a diagnosis other than chronic otitis media, when a cartilage graft was used, and for Plasti-Pore rather than hydroxylapatite. Extrusion was known to occur in 4%.


CONCLUSIONS
After more than 25 years of use in our clinic, Plasti-Pore ossicular replacement prostheses continue to provide reliable hearing results with a low rate of extrusion.
House
J W
JW
House Ear Clinic and House Ear Institute, Los Angeles, California 90057, USA.
Teufert
K B
KB
D000328:Adult; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001844:Bone Conduction; D017886:Durapatite; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009998:Ossicular Prosthesis; D019933:Ossicular Replacement; D011095:Polyethylenes; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011095:Polyethylenes; D017886:Durapatite