Hearing results for ossicular reconstruction using a cartilage-connecting hydroxyapatite prosthesis with a spearhead.
OBJECTIVE
Assessment of the efficacy of ossicular reconstruction using a cartilage-connecting hydroxyapatite prosthesis designed with a spearhead to reduce extrusion and dislocation of the implant.


METHODS
All patients undergoing ossicular reconstruction after chronic ear surgery, connecting the cartilage to the prosthesis, with a minimum of 1 year of postoperative follow-up.


METHODS
Postoperative change in pure-tone averages. Air-bone gap closures, and implant extrusion rates.


RESULTS
Overall mean pure-tone averages improved by 12.2 dB (ranged between -40 and 60 dB). In total, 68.4% of the patients achieved an air-bone gap less than 20 dB. Gains in the mean air conduction thresholds were 9.5 dB in cases of partial ossicular reconstruction and 14.9 dB in cases with total ossicular reconstruction (p < 0.05). The overall extrusion rate was 4.21%.


CONCLUSIONS
The cartilage-connecting hydroxyapatite prosthesis with a spearhead was found to restore hearing to a satisfactory level. The extrusion rate was relatively low. The cartilage-connecting hydroxyapatite prosthesis with a spearhead is an effective ossicular implant and offers an attractive alternative for ossicular reconstruction, particularly for total ossicular reconstructions.
Doi
Tadashi
T
The Department of Otolaryngology, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata, Osaka, Japan. doit@hitrakata.kmu.ac.jp
Hosoda
Yasuo
Y
Kaneko
Toshihiko
T
Munemoto
Yumi
Y
Kaneko
Akihiro
A
Komeda
Mototane
M
Furukawa
Masayuki
M
Kuriyama
Hiromichi
H
Kitajiri
Masanori
M
Tomoda
Koichi
K
Yamashita
Toshio
T
D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D017886:Durapatite; D004425:Ear Cartilage / Q000601:surgery*; D004429:Ear Ossicles / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006309:Hearing / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009998:Ossicular Prosthesis; D019933:Ossicular Replacement; D013506:Otologic Surgical Procedures; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014433:Tympanoplasty
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D017886:Durapatite