title: A new crimping device for stapedectomy prostheses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe a newly designed microforceps for easy and stable crimping of a prosthesis loop to the incus' long process in stapes surgery
  
  
  RESULTS
  We developed a crimping tool with two innovative improvements. First, the tip of the crimping device is arcuated and thus able to span the loop of the prosthesis entirely around the incus long process. Second, a retaining spring is implemented into the handle. This passive opening mechanism of the crimper avoids the switch from flexor to extensor muscle group movements in the forearm of the surgeon while switching from crimping to unclosing the forceps. This maneuver, which is considered the most delicate in ear surgery, can be performed by variations of the flexor muscle group tonus only.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The new crimping tool has proved to be reliable in firm attachment of the prosthesis' loop to the incus long process. Furthermore, because of the passive open-up mechanism movements of the surgeon's hand, wriggling excursions of the tip of the forceps are minimized and the risk of incus luxation is reduced.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany. huettenbrink.k-b@uni-koeln.de
authors.forename: Karl-Bernd
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Huettenbrink
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Beutner
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D010040:Otosclerosis / Q000601:surgery; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013201:Stapes Surgery / Q000295:instrumentation*