[First experiences with the new soft-clip piston as an alloplastic prosthesis during stapedotomy].

INTRODUCTION

A large variety of prostheses are available for stapes surgery. The newly designed Soft-CliP Piston is an alloplastic prosthesis used in patients with Otosclerosis which has been available since May 2007. With the new design, an intra- and postoperative damage of the ossicle chain should be minimized.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

A Laser-Stapedotomy was performed in 11 patients with a mean age of 45.7 years. Soft-CliP pistons with a shaft diameter of 0.4 mm and a length of 4.5 mm were used. An accurate examination and an exact audiometric testing were performed pre- and postoperative.

RESULTS

The average observed air-bone-gap in the frequencies from 0.5 to 4 kHz was postoperatively in 2.9% of the patients greater than 20 dB, in 5.7% between 15-20 dB, in 14.3% between 10-15 dB and less than 10 dB in 77.1% of the patients. Despite the new design of the prostheses it wasn't possible to slit the prosthesis onto the incus in two cases, and in one case there wasn't the needed size available.

CONCLUSION

A critical point in every stapes surgery, the prosthesis fixation onto the incus, is facilitated by the novel Soft-CliP Piston. Crimping is not needed anymore. Very good hearing results are achieved postoperatively, comparable to other Titanium Prostheses. However the surgeon needs adequate experience to insert the Soft-CliP Piston. Long-term results in a larger group of patients are needed and pending.