A new malleostapedotomy prosthesis. Experimental analysis by laser doppler vibrometer in fresh cadaver temporal bones.

INTRODUCTION AND

OBJECTIVES

One of the problems with total ossicular replacement prostheses is their stability. Prosthesis dislocations and extrusions are common in middle ear surgery. This is due to variations in endo-tympanic pressure as well as design defects. The design of this new prosthesis reduces this problem by being joined directly to the malleus handle. The aim of this study is to confirm adequate acoustic-mechanical behaviour in fresh cadaver middle ear of a new total ossicular replacement prosthesis, designed using the finite elements method.

METHODS

Using the doppler vibrometer laser, we analysed the acoustic-mechanical behaviour of a new total ossicular replacement prosthesis in the human middle ear using 10 temporal bones from fresh cadavers.

RESULTS

The transfer function of the ears in which we implanted the new prosthesis was superimposed over the non-manipulated ear. This suggests optimum acoustic-mechanical behaviour.

CONCLUSIONS

The titanium prosthesis analysed in this study demonstrated optimum acoustic-mechanical behaviour. Together with its ease of implantation and post-surgical stability, these factors make it a prosthesis to be kept in mind in ossicular reconstruction.