The Stapes Head Coupler-A Flexible and Safe Option for Vibroplasty.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the surgical approach and the audiological outcome of a stapes head coupler in active middle ear implant surgery.

STUDY

DESIGN

Retrospective data analysis.

SETTING

Tertiary referral center with a large active middle ear implant program.

PATIENTS: Twelve patients with active middle ear implant surgery.

INTERVENTIONS: Therapeutic surgical approach for hearing rehabilitation in human subjects.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Auditory brainstem response, sound field thresholds, vibrogram, speech perception in the Freiburger monosyllabic word test.

RESULTS

The stapes head was attached safely in different coupling situations. Audiological outcomes were similar to the audiological performance of established vibroplasty couplers presented in the literature.

CONCLUSION

The stapes head coupler is a new and safe tool for vibroplasty with a good audiological outcome.