[Stapes surgery : first experiences with the new Soft-CliP piston].
BACKGROUND
The first hearing results with a new stapes prosthesis with clip function (Soft-CliP(R) piston) are presented.


METHODS
This new prosthesis was used in 15 patients (mean age 45.2 years; range 21-63 years) undergoing routine stapes surgery. Soft-CliP(R) piston prostheses with a shaft diameter of 0.4 mm and a length ranging from 4.25 mm to 5.5 mm were used. Postoperative audiological testing and measurement of the air-bone gap were performed after an average of 47.3 days and compared with the preoperative values.


RESULTS
The median observed postoperative air-bone gap (ABG) was 8.33 dB +/-4.16 dB. All patients had less than 20 dB ABG and in 53.3% of cases was less than 10 dB. The operating time showed a clear difference between the left (66.5 min +/-37.79 min) and right ears (47.2 min +/-11.08 min).


CONCLUSIONS
This new prosthesis design greatly facilitates a very difficult step in stapes surgery, the prosthesis fixation to the incus. The first postoperative hearing results are very promising but long-term results in a larger group of patients are still pending.
Brase
C
C
Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Klinik, Kopf- und Halschirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Waldstrasse 1, 91054, Erlangen, Deutschland. Christoph.Brase@uk-erlangen.de
Zenk
J
J
Wurm
J
J
Schick
B
B
Iro
H
H
Hornung
J
J
D000328:Adult; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013201:Stapes Surgery / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D016896:Treatment Outcome