title: Ossiculoplasty with total ossicular replacement prosthesis and Omega Connector: early clinical results and functional measurements.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Among other difficulties, achieving a stable position of a total ossicular replacement prosthesis (TORP) is demanding because of a limited view on the TORP-footplate interface and individual angles between the footplate and tympanic membrane. The Kurz Omega Connector aims at a simplified insertion of the TORP. The performance of total ossicular reconstruction using the Omega Connector was evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective cohort study and experimental measurements with a fresh human temporal bone.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary referral center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventeen consecutive patients receiving total ossicular reconstruction were included. Historical control group composed of 36 patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Total ossicular reconstruction using the Omega Connector.
  
  
  METHODS
  (a) Handling of the TORP and Omega Connector intraoperatively, (b) functional short-term results compared with a historical control group, (c) sound transmission properties with 3 different connective positions between the TORP and the Omega Connector.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Placing the Omega Connector on the footplate and coupling the Omega Connector to the TORP was straightforward in 65% of cases. A stable final position of the TORP was obtained in 88% of cases. Mean (SD) preoperative and postoperative air-bone gaps were 36.00 (11.05) and 25.29 (12.25) dB and were almost identical with those in the historical control group (p = 0.9). In the experimental measurements, functional outcomes with "partial connection" showed almost the same results as those with "full connection."
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Omega Connector provides easy handling of the TORP. The short-term functional results were comparable to those achieved previously without the Omega Connector. The temporal bone measurement supports tolerance in connective position between the TORP and the Omega Connector.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. thomas.mantei@usz.ch
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Mantei
authors: Michail
authors: M
authors: Chatzimichalis
authors: Jae Hoon
authors: JH
authors: Sim
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Schrepfer
authors: Melanie
authors: M
authors: Vorburger
authors: Alexander M
authors: AM
authors: Huber
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018424:Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear / Q000601:surgery*; D004429:Ear Ossicles / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009998:Ossicular Prosthesis; D019933:Ossicular Replacement / Q000379:methods*; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome