TOTAL OSSICULAR REPLACEMENT PROSTHESES: MATERIALS AND DESIGNS

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.