Incudostapedial rebridging ossiculoplasty with bone cement.

OBJECTIVE

This study reports the authors' technique and hearing results with bone cement reconstruction of the incudostapedial chain. The technique is called incudostapedial rebridging ossiculoplasty.

STUDY

DESIGN

A retrospective analysis of the hearing results of the incudostapedial rebridging ossiculoplasty was performed on 15 patients.

BACKGROUND

Recently, bone cements have been available commercially, and their use in otologic surgery is increasing. Polymaleinate glass ionomer cement is a commercially available bone cement that can be used to reconstruct a discontinuity between the incus and the stapes.

SETTING

Tertiary referral center.

PATIENTS: Disease-free or cleansed middle ear and mastoid and intact ossicular chain except for discontinuity between the long process of the incus and the head of the stapes.

INTERVENTIONS: Therapeutic.

MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Functional results of incudostapedial rebridging ossiculoplasty.

RESULTS

Of 15 patients, 9 achieved a successful hearing result (an air-bone gap within 20 dB) with incudostapedial rebridging ossiculoplasty after 1 year. The mean preoperative and postoperative air-bone gaps were 32.9 and 14.3 dB, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Incudostapedial rebridging ossiculoplasty with bone cement is a cost-effective and safe procedure that yields good hearing results in selected patients.