Long-Term Audiological Outcomes of Ossiculoplasty Using Glass Ionomer Cement: A 12-Year Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the long-term functional hearing outcomes of ossicular chain reconstruction using glass ionomer cement (GIC) by comparing preoperative, early postoperative, and late postoperative audiological results. This study presents one of the limited series in the literature reporting very long-term (up to 12 years) audiological outcomes of ossiculoplasty using GIC.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included 45 patients who underwent ossicular chain reconstruction using GIC between 2012 and 2024. Audiological outcomes, including air conduction (AC), bone conduction (BC), pure tone average, and air-bone gap (ABG), were evaluated preoperatively, early postoperatively (3-12 months), and late postoperatively. Patients were grouped according to follow-up duration as 1-5 years (n=19), 5-10 years (n=12), and ≥10 years (n=14). Changes in audiological parameters were analyzed statistically.

RESULTS

A total of 45 patients were included. Significant improvement in AC thresholds and ABG values was observed in the early postoperative period compared to preoperative values (P < .05). In the 1- to 10-year follow-up group, early postoperative ABG results were largely preserved at late follow-up. However, in patients with ≥10 years of follow-up, a statistically significant deterioration in ABG was observed over time.

CONCLUSION

Ossicular reconstruction using GIC provides significant early hearing improvement, and these gains are largely maintained in medium-term (1-5 years) and long-term (5-10 years) follow-up. Limited impairment is observed only in very long-term follow-up (≥10 years). Glass ionomer cement remains a highly viable option for limited ossicular defects, offering functional stability for at least 10 years.