Potential use of diode laser soldering in middle ear reconstruction.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the potential use of diode laser soldering to improve mechanical stability of middle ear reconstruction. The diode laser with a biological solder may offer benefits over traditional methods. We evaluated the strength of soldered bonds and a means to apply such a technique in the human middle ear.


METHODS
The strength of soldered junctions using fascia, cartilage, bone, and hydroxyappatite was evaluated in vitro. A diode laser (810-nm wavelength) and 50% albumin with 0.1% indocyanine green dye was used. Soldered bonds were compared to those obtained with adhesive alone. A fiberoptic delivery system was evaluated. Ten hydroxyappatite prostheses were soldered to the stapes in human cadaver temporal bones, and the force required to disrupt the bonds were measured.


RESULTS
Statistically significant greater strength was obtained with soldering. Ossicular prostheses can be effectively secured to the stapes in a cadaver model.


CONCLUSIONS
Soldering techniques show promise in middle ear reconstruction.
D000418:Albumins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007208:Indocyanine Green / Q000627:therapeutic use; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008954:Models, Biological; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013718:Tensile Strength / Q000502:physiology; D014433:Tympanoplasty / Q000379:methods*
D000418:Albumins; D004396:Coloring Agents; D007208:Indocyanine Green