Short- and long-term results of ossicular reconstruction using partial and total plastipore prostheses.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the short- and long-term success of using a plastipore prosthesis for partial and total ossiculoplasty (POP and TOP). Subtechniques for optimal hearing improvement are discussed. Literature review and comparison to the recent use of titanium prostheses is made.


METHODS
Retrospective review of partial and total ossiculoplasties.


METHODS
Private practice tertiary otologic center.


METHODS
A total of 152 patients who underwent ossicular reconstruction by the primary author greater than 3 years before this investigation with long-term results (mean, 4.3 yr) available for 83 patients.


METHODS
Preoperative and postoperative air and bone conduction thresholds and air-bone gap for pure tone averages for 4 frequencies. Percentage of patients achieving an air-bone gap (ABG) of less than or equal to 10 dB abd 20 dB.


RESULTS
The percentage of patients closing their ABG to within 10 dB was 51.3% and 75% to within 20 dB short term. The mean PTA ABG for the POP patients was 11.9 and 15.8 dB for the TOP groups short term. For the long-term group, 41.7% of POP patients had 10 dB or lower ABG and 81.2% within 20 dB. In the TOP group, 20% had a PTA ABG of 10 dB or lower with 60% within 20 dB ABG long term. There were no patients with complication of significant sensorineural hearing loss. One extrusion occurred in this group of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Functional results with the POP and TOP plastipore prostheses were good postoperatively. Longer-term results also supported the use of these prostheses and techniques in that more than 53 months, our partial ossiculoplasty cases had a minimal air-bone gap worsening of only 1.7 dB. The total ossiculoplasty cases had a 6.3 dB air-bone gap decline, which is less than a 1.5 dB decrease per year.
Lippy Group for Ear, Nose and Throat, Warren, Ohio 44484, USA.
Leonard P
LP
Berenholz
John M
JM
Burkey
William H
WH
Lippy
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001844:Bone Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009998:Ossicular Prosthesis; D019933:Ossicular Replacement / Q000379:methods; D011095:Polyethylenes; D011126:Polypropylenes; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
C016674:Plastipore; D011095:Polyethylenes; D011126:Polypropylenes