[Tympanoplasty with incus interposition].

We report on a 5-year experience with 44 patients (1980-1985) with incus interposition using a modelled or sculptured incus, either autograft or homograft, to correct ossicular discontinuity when a functional malleus and stapes are present. After a period of 21 months, 75% of our patients achieved an air-bone gap closure between 1 and 10 dB. The postoperative hearing results of patients with trauma and middle ear atelectases were better than the hearing results of patients with cholesteatomas. These long-term results are dependent upon intact malleus attic ligaments and an intact tensor tympani tendon. It is very important that the modelled incus is repositioned under the malleus handle neck.