Long-term experience with biocompatible ossicular implants.

The senior author's 8-year personal experience with biocompatible ossicular implants is reviewed. Four hundred sixty-one consecutive operations, in which high-density polyethylene sponge ossicular replacement prostheses were used, are grouped according to the Bellucci classification of chronic otitis media. The prostheses used were the drum-to-footplate prosthesis (TORP, total) and the drum-to-stapes prosthesis (PORP, partial). Each group's short- and long-term hearing results are compared. Prosthesis extrusion and persistent or recurrent conductive hearing loss are the most common causes of operation failure. Failures within each group are analyzed, and techniques to prevent these complications are outlined.