Solving ossicular problems in stapedectomy.

Three unusual ossicular problems encountered in stapedectomy are: floating stapes footplate, partial absence of the incus long process, and otosclerosis combined with a fixed malleus. The surgical techniques advocated in solving these problems are: placing a Robinson prosthesis on the floating footplate, utilizing the Lippy modification of the Robinson prosthesis for the problem incus, and performing only a stapedectomy for malleus fixation and otosclerosis. The hearing results in 242 cases were quite satisfactory and no patient had a further sensorineural loss.