Ossicular chain reconstruction with a titanium prosthesis.

OBJECTIVE

Ossicular chain damage from chronic ear disease is a significant problem in the Australian population. The ideal ossicular chain reconstruction prosthesis has yet to be defined. This paper examines, for the first time, the use of a titanium prosthesis for ossicular chain reconstruction in Australian patients.

STUDY

DESIGN

Retrospective chart review.

SUBJECTS AND

METHODS

All patients undergoing ossicular chain reconstruction with a titanium prosthesis between 1 February 2002 and 31 March 2007.

RESULTS

Results showed a low complication rate, with only one extrusion out of 55 cases (1.8 per cent). Successful rehabilitation of conductive hearing loss (i.e. to < or =20 dB air-bone gap) was obtained in 85 per cent of the partial ossicular chain reconstruction group and 77 per cent of the total ossicular chain reconstruction group. Pure tone thresholds improved by an average 18 dB in the partial reconstruction group and 25 dB in the total reconstruction group.

CONCLUSION

Titanium is an ideal material for ossicular chain reconstruction due to its ease of insertion, low rate of extrusion and good functional results.