title: Vibrant Soundbridge in congenital osseous atresia: multicenter study of 12 patients with osseous atresia.
abstract: CONCLUSIONS
  The study suggests that the Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) middle ear implant could be a valid alternative for patients with congenital aural atresia to compensate for their hearing loss.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the audiologic benefit the VSB provides in patients with congenital aural atresia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve patients with congenital aural atresia were implanted with VSB: eight patients were unilaterally atretic (67%) and 4 (33%) were bilaterally atretic. In five cases the implant was placed onto the round window, in another five cases the implant was placed on the stapes, in only one case a prosthesis (coupler) was used to fix the implant into the oval window, and in one case a fenestration on the cochlear endostium was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean functional gain obtained for all patients evaluated was 62 dB at 0.5 kHz, 60 dB at 1 kHz, 48.3 dB at 2 kHz, and 50.8 dB at 4 kHz. The mean functional gain for all frequencies evaluated was 55.1 dB.
authors: Division of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Sanatorio Allende, Ciudad de Córdoba, Argentina. Mario.zernotti@gmail.com
authors: Mario E
authors: ME
authors: Zernotti
authors: Santiago L
authors: SL
authors: Arauz
authors: Maria Fernanda
authors: MF
authors: Di Gregorio
authors: Santiago A
authors: SA
authors: Arauz
authors: Paola
authors: P
authors: Tabernero
authors: M Celeste
authors: MC
authors: Romero
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000601:surgery*; D004423:Ear / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009998:Ossicular Prosthesis; D019933:Ossicular Replacement; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult