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Funding Information: We want to thank M.Sc. (Tech) Pekka Paavola for photo stacking technique photographing. We also want to thank Ph.D. Jukka Kuva (Geological Survey of Finland, Espoo, Finland) for collaboration with regard to micro-CT imaging. X-ray tomography was supported by the Academy of Finland via RAMI infrastructure project (#293109). Funding Information: This study has been funded by the Tauno Palva Foundation, the Helsinki University Hospital Research Fund and the Academy of Finland Grant 325509. Publisher Copyright: © 2023 Author(s). This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Despite advances in prosthesis materials, operating microscopes and surgical techniques during the last 50 years, long-lasting hearing improvement remains a challenge in ossicular chain reconstruction. Failures in the reconstruction are mainly due to inadequate length or shape of the prosthesis, or defects in the surgical procedure. 3D-printed middle ear prosthesis might offer a solution to individualize treatment and obtain better results. The aim of the study was to study the possibilities and limitations of 3D-printed middle ear prostheses. Design of the 3D-printed prosthesis was inspired by a commercial titanium partial ossicular replacement prosthesis. 3D models of different lengths (1.5–3.0 mm) were created with Solidworks 2019–2021 software. The prostheses were 3D-printed with vat photopolymerization using liquid photopolymer Clear V4. Accuracy and reproducibility of 3D printing were evaluated with micro-CT imaging. The acoustical performance of the prostheses was determined in cadaver temporal bones with laser Doppler vibrometry. In this paper, we present an outline of individualized middle ear prosthesis manufacturing. 3D printing accuracy was excellent when comparing dimensions of the 3D-printed prostheses and their 3D models. Reproducibility of 3D printing was good if the diameter of the prosthesis shaft was 0.6 mm. 3D-printed partial ossicular replacement prostheses were easy to manipulate during surgery even though they were a bit stiffer and less flexible than conventional titanium prostheses. Their acoustical performance was similar to that of a commercial titanium partial ossicular replacement prosthesis. It is possible to 3D print functional individualized middle ear prostheses made of liquid photopolymer with good accuracy and reproducibility. These prostheses are currently suitable for otosurgical training. Further research is needed to explore their usability in a clinical setting. In the future, 3D printing of individualized middle ear prostheses may provide better audiological outcomes for patients.

Objective: To compare short-term and long-term outcomes after transcanal endoscope-assisted with microscope-assisted ossiculoplasty using the Fisch titanium total prosthesis (FTTP). Study Design: Retrospective chart review. Setting: Tertiary referral center. Patients Pediatric ( 0.05). Three months postoperative endoscopic air conduction PTA0.5-2kHz was 37.6 ± 17.4 dB (14.5 dB improvement) and 44.6 ± 19.9 dB (7.6 dB improvement) in the microscopic group (p > 0.05). Three months postoperative endoscopic PTA0.5-2kHz ABG was 26.8 ± 16.6 dB and 28.4 ± 14.7 dB in the microscopic group (p > 0.05). Latest follow-up endoscopic air conduction PTA0.5-2kHz audiogram (mean follow-up, 20.6 ± 10.4 mo) was 36.1 ± 18.2 dB (16.0 dB improvement) and 40.1 ± 16.8 dB (12.1 dB improvement) in the microscopic group (mean follow-up, 19.9 ± 10.3 mo)(p > 0.05). For endoscopic air conduction PTA0.5-2kHz, between the 3 months and latest follow-up audiogram, 25.0% showed improvement, 50.0% remained stable, and 25.0% deteriorated. In the microscopic group, 26.7% improved, 46.6% remained stable, and 26.7% deteriorated (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Our study shows that hearing results with the Fisch titanium total prosthesis are in line with literature. Endoscope-assisted total ossiculoplasty proves to be a suitable technique with comparable results to the microscopic approach.

OBJECTIVE Otitis media is one of the most common illnesses which may cause ossicles destruction and conductive hearing loss. However, nowadays the damaged middle ear bones may be replaced by a partial or total ossicular replacement prosthesis. The main aim of this article was to confirm the proper functioning of the new middle ear prosthesis. METHODS This work describes first clinical trials conducted on a group of three patients with the case of interrupted ossicles continuity and chronic otitis media. The clinical trials were performed according to permission No. 157/KBL/OIL2016. The patients were subjected to the bones chain reconstruction via implanting a bactericidal middle ear prosthesis called Otoimplant. The following preoperative and postoperative parameters have been evaluated: Air-Bone-Gap values, mean ABG values in different frequencies, bone and air conductivity, speech audiometry and microbiological assessment. The patients' recovery was observed according to the study protocol on the 7th day and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the surgery. RESULTS Audiological tests revealed that the mean Air-Bone-Gap was reduced by 36% in all the patients after 1 year. No bacteria or fungi were found in the middle ear spaces. CONCLUSIONS Results confirm the bactericidal efficacy and hearing improvement of the Otoimplant.

To evaluate surgical outcomes for chronic otitis media with mucosa defect underwent titanium ossicular chain reconstruction (OCR) in single stage canal wall down tympanoplasty (CWD).A clinical retrospective study was performed on 83 cases of the chronic otitis media with mucosa defect and 123 ears with mucosa integrity according to intraoperative findings that underwent synchronous titanium OCR in single stage CWD form January 2012 to January 2018. Pre- and postoperative air conduction threshold (AC), air-bone gap (ABG) and ABG closure at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz were investigated.The overall mean AC threshold of 53.4 ± 16.5 dB was lowered to 41.2 ± 15.9 dB postoperatively (p 0.01). The mean pre- and postoperative ABG of all patients were 27.9 ± 9.9 dB and 17.2 ± 9.3 dB (p 0.01), respectively, with a mean ABG closure of 10.7 ± 8.4 dB. The total rate of success, postoperative ABG ≤ 20 dB was achieved in 71.4%. In the mucosa defect group underwent TORP, the mean pre- and postoperative ABG were 28.1 ± 9.8 dB and 20.1 ± 9.0 dB (p 0.01), respectively, with the ABG closure was 8.0 ± 7.9 dB. In the mucosa defect group underwent PORP, the mean pre- and postoperative ABG were 27.9 ± 10.1 dB and 16.5 ± 9.1 dB (p 0.01), respectively, with the ABG closure was 11.4 ± 8.6 dB. Furthermore, in the mucosa defect group, there was significant difference in success rate of achieved postoperative ABG ≤ 20 dB between the TORP (48.9%) and PORP (77.5%) (p 0.05).It is revealed PORP in single stage CWD tympanoplasty for the patients suffered from chronic otitis media with mucosa defect is favored.

INTRODUCTION A total ossicular replacement prosthesis (TORP) is used to reconstruct the ossicular chain in the absence of the stapes suprastructure. The Wildcat prosthesis is a novel TORP that eliminates the need for a separate footplate shoe prosthesis and aims to improve ease-of-use and stability. This study evaluates hearing outcomes using the Wildcat prosthesis. STUDY DESIGN Case series with chart review. SETTING Tertiary neurotology referral center. METHODS Retrospective chart review of 64 patients undergoing ossicular chain reconstruction using the Wildcat TORP. Hearing outcomes after surgery were assessed with air conduction pure-tone average, bone conduction pure-tone average, air-bone gap (ABG), speech recognition threshold , and word recognition score as primary outcome measures. The stability of hearing outcomes was evaluated on subsequent long-term follow-up. RESULTS At mean short-term follow-up of 4.4 ± 2.7 months, ABG improved from 31.0 ± 13.0 dB preoperatively to 22.5 ± 10.0 dB (p

Background: No studies have investigated the results of ossicular chain reconstruction using mastoid cortical bone ossiculoplasty (MCBO) and titanium total ossicular replacement prosthesis (TiTORP) in Austin-Kartush Group D cholesteatoma patients with severe middle ear risk index (MERI). Objectives: The present study aimed to compare the hearing results of MCBO and TiTORP in Austin-Kartush Group D cholesteatoma patients with severe MERI who underwent ossicular chain reconstruction during primary surgery. Methods: The hearing results of 28 adult cholesteatoma patients who underwent tympanomastoidectomy and ossicular chain reconstruction with MCBO (n=15) or TiTORP (n=13) were analyzed in the current study. The postoperative hearing was tested 12 months after the surgery. The hearing-related functional success rate was determined in accordance with the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation criteria. Results: When all patients were taken into account, the mean preoperative and postoperative air-bone gaps (ABG) were reported as 32.2 decibel (dB) and 17.6 dB, respectively, (P

Objective: Herein we describe the diagnosis and management of total ossicular replacement prosthesis (TORP) displacement following tympanoplasty with ossicular chain reconstruction (OCR). Methods: Case report with literature review. Results/Case: A 40-year-old male with otorrhea and tympanic membrane perforation underwent a right revision tympanoplasty with OCR using a TORP with a tragal chondroperichondrial graft. On postoperative day (POD) 4, he developed vertigo and profound right-sided hearing loss. Temporal bone computed tomography showed the prosthesis in the vestibule. After a steroid taper with mild improvement in symptoms, the TORP was removed two weeks later and the patient continued to improve. Conclusion: TORP displacement into the vestibule is a very rare complication following OCR. Conservative management with high dose steroids may improve symptoms, however further middle ear exploration and surgical management may be warranted depending on the depth of displacement into the inner ear as well as symptom severity.

Functional failure of total ossicular replacement prostheses (TORP) is often due to secondary displacement, ranging from simple subluxation to prosthesis extrusion following recurrence of severe tympanic membrane retraction. Several surgical techniques have been proposed to stabilize a TORP, mostly using superimposed non-organic or resorbable heterologous materials. We describe a simple so-called "tumulus" surgical technique that limits prosthesis displacement and extrusion, regardless of the type of TORP, by using a few fragments of autologous cartilage that are always available and perfectly tolerated at no cost. Review of 31 cases treated by this technique did not reveal any cases of prosthesis displacement and only one case (3.2%) of prosthesis extrusion with audiometric results comparable to the best results reported in the literature.

Objective Ossiculoplasty is a surgical procedure that recreates sound transmission of the middle ear in conductive hearing loss. Various materials have been used for ossicular reconstruction, but the most ideal material for ossiculoplasty remains controversial. The purpose of this study is to introduce a novel method of autologous ossiculoplasty, bone-cartilage composite graft (BCCG), and to compare its surgical results with different types of ossiculoplastic prostheses. Study Design A retrospective study was performed in a tertiary referral center. Methods Data of 275 patients who received ossiculoplasty using the three different materials of BCCG, Polycel®, and titanium were analyzed according to type of ossiculoplasty: partial or total ossicular replacement prosthesis (PORP or TORP). Hearing results, complication rates, and clinical parameters including age, sex, past history, preoperative diagnosis, and surgery type were compared among different groups. Results Ossiculoplasty with BCCG showed satisfactory hearing outcomes and the lowest complication rate among the three different materials. In particular, its extrusion rate was 0%. Conclusion We propose that the BCCG technique is a useful alternative method for ossiculoplasty, with proper patient selection. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Objective Determine rates of success after revision titanium ossicular chain reconstruction with either partial or total ossicular replacement prosthesis and assess preoperative factors predicting positive outcomes. Study Design Case series with planned data collection. Setting Tertiary hospital. Subjects and Methods The charts of 76 surgical patients who underwent revision titanium ossicular chain reconstruction from 2003 to 2014 were abstracted from a prospectively maintained database at the Medical University of South Carolina. Postoperative air-bone gap (ABG) after revision surgery at short-term (6 months) and intermediate to long-term (1 year) follow-up and preoperative factors associated with postoperative ABG ≤20 dB were recorded. A paired t test or Wilcoxon signed-rank sum test was utilized to compare preoperative, short-term, or intermediate to long-term results. Results Seventy-six patients underwent revision ossiculoplasty and met inclusion criteria. Mean postoperative ABG was 22.5 at short-term follow-up ( P.0001) and 24.4 at intermediate to long-term follow-up ( P = .003). Postoperative ABG ≤20 dB was achieved in 51.5% of patients. The only preoperative factor associated with postoperative ABG ≤20 dB was location of original primary ossiculoplasty ( P = .01). Conclusions This is one of the larger studies involving revision titanium ossiculoplasty. Revision surgery showed a significant improvement in postoperative ABG. The location of the original ossiculoplasty correlated with success of revision surgery (defined as postoperative ABG ≤20 dB). Patients who had the primary ossiculoplasty at an outside hospital may have better audiometric outcomes than patients who had it at a tertiary hospital.

Objective: We reviewed functional outcomes of tympanoplasty. Study design: The results of tympanoplastic surgery are changing in time. We present late treatment outcomes among different types of tympanoplasty. Methods: Eighty-six patients who underwent tympanoplasty were enrolled in the study. The results of pure tone audiometry performed 7 days before, then at 3 months, 1 year, and 3 years after the surgery were assessed. Type II tympanoplasty involved implantation of a partial ossicular replacement prosthesis and type III tympanoplasty involved reconstruction with a total ossicular replacement prosthesis and the use of autogenous homogenous material. Statistical analysis was performed. Results: With all four types of tympanoplasty, hearing improvement was achieved at 3 months and 1 year after surgery based on the magnitude of the mean ABG reduction (p

Objectives To compare the results of ossiculoplasty with two different partial ossicular replacement prostheses (PORP) to ossiculoplasty with a total ossicular replacement prosthesis (TORP) in patients with an intact stapes suprastructure. Methods All patients required primary or revision surgery for chronic middle ear disease and ossicular reconstruction with either a PORP or a TORP, as well as a with an intact stapes suprastructure. In total, 141 patients receiving classic tympanoplasty with PORP (N = 92), ossiculoplasty with PORP with ball joint (N = 22), or TORP (N = 27) between January 2011 and March 2017 were included in this study. The inclusion criterion was an intact stapes suprastructure. The underlying indication for surgery was either middle ear disease, such as cholesteatoma, or revision surgery for audiological improvement. The main outcome measures were four-frequency pure tone average (0.5, 1, 2, 3 kHz) at early and late follow-up after ossiculoplasty, the effects of clinical factors including the underlying middle ear disease, and primary or revision surgery. Results All patients showed a significantly reduced air-bone gap (ABG 0.5, 1, 2, 3 kHz) at late follow-up (mean: 18 dB) compared to preoperative measurements (mean: 25.5 dB). A significantly better outcome in ABG closure was shown among patients with a preoperatively intact tympanic membrane, with an intact stapes suprastructure or without preexisting cholesteatoma. Outcome was not significantly influenced by the prosthesis-type, the creation of an open mastoid cavity, the status of the mucosa, or the indication for surgery. Conclusion TORP with an intact stapes suprastructure is a safe procedure and provides audiological outcomes similar to PORP. Level of evidence 2C Laryngoscope, 130:768-775, 2020.

OBJECTIVE Assessing long-term results of patients treated with total ossicular replacement prosthesis (TORP)-vibroplasty. DESIGN Retrospective analysis. SETTING Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS A total of five patients (two women, three men; mean age, 66 yr) were eligible for evaluation after an average follow-up period of 5.1 years after TORP-vibroplasty. INTERVENTIONS Implantation of an active middle ear device in conjunction with a titanium coupler for oval window placement in patients with chronic middle ear disease with missing stapes suprastructure. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Audiometric outcomes and satisfaction of the patients. RESULTS The functional gain was 45.2 and 45.6 dB HL at 6 months and 5.1 years after implantation, respectively. The speech recognition using the Freiburg monosyllabic word test and speech intelligibility showed postoperatively a distinct improvement and revealed no statistically significant change across time for the entire follow-up period. According to the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids questionnaire, the patients stated considerable subjective benefits and satisfaction with the device. CONCLUSION The good outcomes of TORP-vibroplasty in chronic disabled ears are stable. They provide long-term and long-lasting satisfying audiologic results combined with a high satisfaction of the patient. Prerequisite is the stable attachment to the cochlear windows.

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate functional results of total ossicular replacement prosthesis (TORP) shaft stabilization with a cartilage shoe in chronic otitis media patients with cholesteatoma who had undergone canal wall down tympanomastoidectomy (CWDT). In addition, it was determined whether the presence of granular and edematous mucosa in middle ear altered functional outcomes. Methods Sixty patients, who had undergone CWDT with the use of TORP for the reconstruction of ossicular chain, were divided into two groups. Patients with cartilage shoe were classified as Group 1 (n=30) and those without the shoe were classified as Group 2 (n=30). Patients in both groups were classified into "A" and "B" subgroups according to the middle ear risk index (MERI). Air conduction (AC) and bone conduction thresholds were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively. Results There was no statistically significant change between preoperative AC thresholds of the groups and subgroups (p>0.05). There were statistically significant differences regarding AC thresholds and air-bone gap (ABG) values between Groups 1 and 2 at the postoperative 12th month (p

Introduction and objective Many designs of prostheses are available for middle ear surgery. In this study, we propose a design for a new prosthesis, which optimises mechanical performance in the human middle ear and improves some deficiencies in the prostheses currently available. Our objective was to design and assess the theoretical acoustic–mechanical behaviour of this new total ossicular replacement prosthesis. Methods The design of this new prosthesis was based on an animal model (an iguana). For the modelling and mechanical analysis of the new prosthesis, we used a dynamic 3D computer model of the human middle ear, based on the finite elements method (FEM). Results The new malleovestibulopexy prosthesis design demonstrates an acoustical–mechanical performance similar to that of the healthy human middle ear. This new design also has additional advantages, such as ease of implantation and stability in the middle ear. Conclusions This study shows that computer simulation can be used to design and optimise the vibroacoustic characteristics of middle ear implants and demonstrates the effectiveness of a new malleovestibulopexy prosthesis in reconstructing the ossicular chain.

Objective: To compare audiometric results between the standard total ossicular replacement prosthesis (TORP-S) and a new fat interposition total ossicular replacement prosthesis (TORP-F) in pediatric and adult patients and to assess the complication and the undesirable outcome. Study design: This is a retrospective study. Methods: This study included 104 patients who had undergone titanium implants with TORP-F and 54 patients who had undergone the procedure with TORP-S between 2008 and 2013 in our tertiary care centers. The new technique consists of interposing a fat graft between the 4 legs of the universal titanium prosthesis (Medtronic Xomed Inc, Jacksonville, FL, USA) to provide a more stable TORP in the ovale window niche. Normally, this prosthesis is designed to fit on the stapes’ head as a partial ossicular replacement prosthesis. Results: The postoperative air-bone gap less than 25 dB for the combined cohort was 69.2% and 41.7% for the TORP-F and the TORP-S groups, respectively. The mean follow-up was 17 months postoperatively. By stratifying data, the pediatric cohort shows 56.5% in the TORP-F group (n = 52) compared with 40% in the TORP-S group (n = 29). However, the adult cohort shows 79.3% in the TORP-F group (n = 52) compared with 43.75% in the TORP-S group (n = 25). These improvements in hearing were statistically significant. There were no statistically significant differences in the speech discrimination scores. The only undesirable outcome that was statistically different between the 2 groups was the prosthesis displacement: 7% in the TORP-F group compared with 19% in the TORP-S group ( P = .03). Conclusions: The interposition of a fat graft between the legs of the titanium implants (TORP-F) provides superior hearing results compared with a standard procedure (TORP-S) in pediatric and adult populations because of its better stability in the oval window niche.

Objectives/Hypothesis To assess the medium-term efficacy of total ossicular reconstruction with a titanium total ossicular replacement prosthesis (TORP) in children. Study Design Case series. Methods A consecutive series of children receiving an adjustable-length titanium TORP was identified from a prospective surgical and audiological database. Audiometric testing was obtained preoperatively, 2 months postoperatively, and subsequently at 6- to 12-month intervals. Four-frequency pure-tone averages (PTA) were determined for air conduction (AC) and bone conduction thresholds, as well as air–bone gap (ABG). Pre- and postoperative measures were compared to determine degree of improvement. The proportion with successful outcome (defined as ≤ 30 dB hearing level [HL] AC) was determined over time with Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results Seventy-five TORPs were inserted in 71 children aged 7 to 18 years, with a median follow-up of 2.7 years (0.6–5.5 years). The mean postoperative PTA AC threshold and ABG at 1 year were 35 dB HL and 29 dB, respectively, with ABG closure of 14 dB. The maximum gain in AC was 40 dB, achieved in eight (11%) cases. Successful outcome was seen in 50% of children at first follow-up. Over the following 1 to 3 years, hearing levels deteriorated to AC > 30 dB HL in an additional 10% of patients. Four patients had revision surgery, one for prosthesis extrusion and three for a lack of improvement in hearing. Conclusions Titanium TORPs offer children an effective method of ossicular reconstruction, with infrequent extrusion at least in the short term. The hearing improvement achieved in the early postoperative period appears to be maintained over the first year but may not be sustained over longer time periods. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 125:740–745, 2015

Clin. Otolaryngol. 2011, 36, 543–549 Objectives: To compare two titanium total ossicular replacement prosthesis (TORP) stabilisation techniques in canal wall down mastoidectomy presenting with footplate only and absent malleus handle. Design: Prospective, controlled, randomised study. Setting: Tertiary Otology Department. Participants: Patients operated on with canal wall down mastoidectomy between 1999 and 2009 were randomised into two groups. Two techniques enhancing the TORP stability were compared: Huttenbrink’s method (63 patients, Group 1) and author’s (GB) procedure (62 patients, Group 2). Huttenbrink’s technique consists in placing a cartilage shave with a hole in the middle over the footplate. Through this hole, the end of the TORP is accommodated. The author’s method involves using a cartilage split in the middle, to lodge the TORP’s shaft at one end and to lay the opposite end over the fallopian canal. Main outcome measures: Mean postoperative air–bone gap, hearing gain and air–bone gap closure within 20 dB. Auditory outcomes were evaluated at 1 year postoperatively. Results: Postoperative air–bone gap closure within 20 dB (successful outcome) at 1 year was achieved in 59% of patients in Group 1 and 72% in Group 2 (P = 0.03). Mean postoperative air–bone gap was 24.4 ± 10.8 dB for Group 1 and 20.17 ± 9.8 dB for Group 2. The difference is 4.23 dB (95% confidence interval, 0.65–07.81), statistically significant: P = 0.02. Hearing gain was 20.3 ± 9.5 in Group 1 and 25.1 ± 10.2 in Group 2, significantly superior: P = 0.007. Conclusion: Better hearing outcomes for author’s method could be demonstrated, but our sample size cannot exclude small and possible trivial, group differences.

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.Prospective cohort study and experimental measurements with a fresh human temporal bone.Tertiary referral center.Seventeen consecutive patients receiving total ossicular reconstruction were included. Historical control group composed of 36 patients.Total ossicular reconstruction using the Omega Connector.(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.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."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.

Summary Objective To assess the efficiency of ossiculoplasty procedures with the Kurz titanium ossicular prosthesis and evaluate prognostic factors for the functional results. Methods Retrospective chart reviews were performed for ossiculoplasty involving Kurz titanium prostheses between 2006 and 2009 in the ENT Head and Neck Department of the hopital Nord, Marseille, France. Results The population studied was 70 patients, with 37 procedures using the partial (PORP) and 33 the total ossicular replacement prosthesis (TORP). Mean follow-up was 9 months. Pre- and postoperative audiological parameters on four frequency averages (0.5, 1, 2, and 3 kHz) were compared according to AAO-HNS guidelines. A postoperative air-bone gap (ABG) ≤ 20 dB was obtained in 71.43% of the patients (86.49% for PORP, and 54.55% for TORP). The mean change in ABG was 12.45 dB in cholesteatomatous otitis versus 13.41 dB in non-cholesteatomatous otitis. Conclusion Increasing the length of the ossicular prosthesis, especially TORP, may improve postoperative functional results.

Surgeons and patients are demanding improved replacements for dysfunctional ossicular bones. Replacement of the entire ossicular chain and positioning the prosthesis between the stapes footplate and the tympanic membrane are of particular challenges. Many materials have been used since the first ossicular replacement; at the present time, the two most widely used materials are titanium and hydroxyapatite. Studies have indicated little difference between these two materials. A variety of novel additions have been added to total ossicular replacement prostheses to overcome limitations associated with conventional prostheses. Testing of novel prosthesis materials and designs over long time intervals is needed in order to validate and expand their usage.

Objectives The main purpose of this study is to compare audiological outcomes of incus reconstruction, Xomed Medtronic universal titanium partial ossicular replacement prosthesis (PORP) and total ossicular replacement prosthesis (TORP). We also compared results based on surgical technique, history of previous surgery, form of the prosthesis head, pathology and frequency. Methods A chart review was performed and included reconstructions performed between June 2003 and December 2006. Results were based on air–bone gap and pure tone average. Results Postoperative mean air–bone gap and mean pure tone average are significantly lower using incus reconstruction compared with the titanium prosthesis groups. PORP and TORP groups yielded similar outcomes. Closure of ABG is similar in all three groups. Postoperative results were better using an intact canal wall mastoidectomy compared with a canal wall down technique, but ABG closure was similar in both groups. Primary surgeries gave better results than revisions of reconstructions performed by the senior author or elsewhere. Conclusion Though Xomed Medtronic titanium prostheses are effective in ossicular reconstruction, incus reconstruction is at least as effective when feasible. Canal wall down mastoidectomy should be reserved for cases where preservation of the canal wall is contraindicated. Previous same ear surgery is a poor prognostic factor for successful outcome. Preliminary results indicate that round head PORPs may be superior to their oval head counterparts.

The objective of the study was to report audiological results in revision stapes surgery, comparing hydroxyapatite (HAP) bone cement, malleovestibular (MV) prosthesis, and total ossicular replacement prosthesis (TORP). The study is a retrospective case review conducted in a tertiary referral center. Patients treated for revision stapes surgery from 2010 to 2014, where a lysis of the long process of the incus (LPI) was observed with the use of HAP bone cement, MV prosthesis, or a TORP were included in the study. The main outcomes measured were pre- and postoperative bone conduction (BC) and air conduction (AC) pure-tone averages (PTA) (0.5, 1, 2, 3 kHz), including high frequencies BC (HFBC) (1, 2, 3, 4 kHz) and air-bone gap (ABG). 107 revision stapes surgery were performed in 96 ears. Main cause of failure was LPI lysis in 38 cases (39.6 %). 31 patients were analyzed: HAP bone cement was used in 11 patients (Group I), MV prosthesis in ten patients (Group II), and TORP in ten patients (Group III). The mean post-operative ABG was 10.7 dB (±7.4) (p = 0.003), 10.7 dB (±8.8) (p = 0.001), and 16.9 dB (±9.8) (p = 0.001), respectively. There were no significant differences between groups. In Group I, the mean change in HFBC revealed an improvement of 5.6 dB (±7.9) (p = 0.03), while in Group III there was a significant deterioration of the thresholds of 5.8 dB (±7.6) (p = 0.04). There were no cases of post-operative anacusis. In revision stapes surgery when LPI is eroded, we recommend to perform a cement ossiculoplasty for stabilizing a standard Teflon piston when LPI is still usable, the LPI lengthening with cement being not recommended. When LPI is too eroded, we prefer performing a malleovestibulopexy, and reserve TORP for cases with a bad anatomical presentation.

Because the performance of titanium dioxide (TiO2) has not yet been assessed in the unique environment of the middle ear, its role as an ossicular replacement prototype in the form of a total ossicular replacement prosthesis (TORP) was tested and compared with aluminum oxide (Al2O3), once considered to be a suitable implant material.Ossiculoplasty was performed by implanting TORPs into the tympanic cavities of rabbits. After an implantation period of 28, 84, or 300 days, the petrous bones were extracted, whereby the biocompatibility of the prostheses was examined using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy to determine morphologic changes in situ. Proper implant placement and functionality was tested via manual manipulation.Mucosa was seen covering most of the implants by day 84. Inflammatory cells were not observed in any of the specimens examined. The macroporous TiO2 TORPs were subjected to osseous infiltration, material dissolution, and fragmentation, whereas the microporous TiO2 implants were subjected to an increasing frequency of fissure formations. The Al2O3 prostheses demonstrated signs of material dissolution by producing encapsulated aggregates during the experimental trial period.Neither the macroporous nor microporous oxide ceramics were able to withstand the oscillatory stress to which they were continually subjected. Although porosity allows for the rapid integration of an implant material into a biological environment, its properties are not suited to fulfill the requirements of strength and long-term stability, which are demanded of middle ear prostheses.

The titanium stapes footplate prosthesis (FPP) was designed to ensure a stable connection of a total ossicular replacement prosthesis (TORP) to the stapes footplate and maximize acoustic coupling by centering the footplate on the oval window. Our goal was to assess the impact of the FPP on TORP ossiculoplasty outcomes.Case series with chart review.Tertiary care center.Adult patients undergoing TORP ossiculoplasty with (n=53) or without (n=108) a stapes FPP.Rate of prosthesis displacement and audiologic outcomes were tabulated for statistical analysis.A lower rate of prosthesis displacement and statistically better audiologic outcomes were seen in FPP patients. The pure-tone average air-bone gap (PTA-ABG) was closed to20 dB in 69.8% (37/53) of patients in the study arm and 44.4% (48/108) of patients in the control arm (P=.003). The PTA-ABG was decreased by a mean±SD of 19.3±11.7 dB and 12.6±11.0 dB in the study and control groups, respectively (P=.0012).Use of the titanium stapes FPP during TORP ossiculoplasty provides a statistically significant advantage in short-term PTA-ABG closure and a higher rate of successful rehabilitation of conductive hearing loss. Further studies are necessary to assess any long-term advantages a FPP may offer.