Early results with titanium ossicular implants.
OBJECTIVE
To report the efficacy of titanium middle ear prosthesis for ossicular reconstruction.


METHODS
Retrospective chart reviews were performed for 25 patients who had undergone titanium ossicular implants between January 1, 1999, and June 1, 20001.


METHODS
Tertiary otology referral center.


METHODS
All patients had a minimum of 6 months of postoperative follow-up and no evidence of recurrent otologic disease.


METHODS
All patients had undergone ossiculoplasty using titanium middle ear implants.


METHODS
Comparisons of preoperative and postoperative pure tone averages were performed. Air-bone gap closures and implant extrusion rates were measured. RESULTS Overall mean pure tone averages improved 22.2 dB with air-bone gap improvement at 20.9 dB. Fifty-six percent of patients achieved air-bone gap less than 20 dB postoperatively. The overall extrusion rate was 4%. However, with the placement of cartilage graft interposed between the prosthesis and the tympanic membrane, no extrusion was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Titanium implants provide comparable hearing improvement compared with other materials. The extrusion rate seems quite low if cartilage interposition graft is inserted. Its ease of handling, biocompatible properties, and sound conducting properties improve its efficacy as an ossicular implant.
Ho
Steven Y
SY
Department of Otolaryngology, Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA. syh_me109g@yahoo.com
Battista
Robert A
RA
Wiet
Richard J
RJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D001844:Bone Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D018424:Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear / Q000150:complications; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006314:Hearing Loss, Conductive / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009998:Ossicular Prosthesis; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000150:complications; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014025:Titanium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014025:Titanium