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Tympanoplasty type II with ionomeric cement and titanium-gold-angle prostheses.

OBJECTIVE: The pronounced isolated erosion of the long incus process is a challenging situation during tympanoplasty. Here, we report two methods for reconstruction of the ossicular chain as tympanoplasty type II with the incus remaining in situ. (1) lonomeric cement is used, resulting in two characteristics: a direct link between stapes head and the long incus process is achieved. At the stapes head the link possesses a joint allowing physiological movements between incus and stapes. (2) Titanium-gold-angle prosthesis according to Plester were crimped to the long process of the incus and positioned onto the head of the stapes forming an articulation. STUDY DESIGN: Forty-five patients with missing long incus process underwent ossiculoplasty among which 41 patients were operated within a randomized, prospective clinical trial. For myringoplasty, the underlay technique with tragus perichondrium was used in all patients. SETTING: We investigated hospitalized patients. INTERVENTION: In 26 patients ossiculoplasty was performed as tympanoplasty type II, in 19 patients with incus interposition. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The essential criterion was the postoperative air-bone-gap (dB). RESULTS: Incus interposition achieved less satisfactory results with an average remaining air-bone gap of 10-20 dB. By contrast, the two tympanoplasty type II procedures yielded average postoperative air-bone-gaps of 0-10 dB (p=0.0003 at 1 kHz; p=0.0028 at 4 kHz), thus reaching the "gold standard" of stapedotomy. The two type II procedures, however, were not equal. The angle prosthesis was restricted to cases with a sufficiently long incus process, whereas the cement-technique is also applicable, when only a short part of the long incus process remained. CONCLUSION: In the present study we show that in the case of a missing crus longum of the incus, a tympanoplasty type II achieved a statistically significant better hearing gain than an autograft interposition.

Audiometry↗

Bone cement reconstruction of the ossicular chain: a preliminary report.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility and efficacy of using a bone cement, Oto-Cem, to reconstruct the ossicular chain. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical trial on nine consecutively chosen adult patients with ossicular chain defects. PATIENTS AND SETTING: Nine patients with ossicular chain defects involving the long process of the incus were treated at the Carolina Ear and Hearing Clinic. The ossicular chain was reconstructed using bone cement by itself or in conjunction with a stapes prosthesis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Preoperative audiograms were compared with audiograms 3, 6, and 12 months after reconstruction. RESULTS: There was a mean pure-tone average (PTA) improvement of 15 dB in patients undergoing incus to stapes suprastructure reconstruction with the bone cement. The incus to mobile footplate reconstruction (using a stapes prosthesis attached to the newly reconstructed incus) resulted in a 34-dB PTA postoperative improvement. Two of the three patients with incus to oval window repairs experienced a 10-dB improvement in PTA. One of the three patients experienced a loss in speech discrimination and a 2-dB loss in PTA. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the limited number of patients, this preliminary study demonstrates the effectiveness of Oto-Cem in reconstructing a foreshortened incus. There was a substantial hearing improvement in all but one patient in the incus to stapes or the incus to footplate categories.

Auditory Threshold↗

Causes of conductive hearing loss after stapedectomy or stapedotomy: a prospective study of 279 consecutive surgical revisions.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the causes for residual or recurrent conductive hearing loss following stapedectomy or stapedotomy and then propose surgical techniques to avoid these complications. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study of 279 consecutive stapedectomy or stapedotomy revisions performed by the author. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: The study included 260 patients who presented with a 20 dB or greater average air-bone gap in the speech frequencies 1 month to 35 years following stapedectomy or stapedotomy (19 patients were explored for possible oval window perilymph fistula). INTERVENTION: Stapedectomy (stapedotomy) surgical revision. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Microscopic inspection and palpation assessed the mobility and continuity of the malleus, incus, and prosthesis. Infrared laser vaporization thinned the oval window neomembrane to identify the precise depth and margins of the oval window, the presence of residual stapes footplate, and finally, the relationship of the prosthesis to the fenestra into the vestibule. RESULTS: Prosthesis displacement out of the oval window fenestration with fixation of the prosthesis against the residual stapes footplate or otic capsule margin was demonstrated in 81% (211/260) of the patients. Of these patients, 31% had complete incus erosion, and an additional 60% demonstrated partial incus erosion, usually on the undersurface of the incus. Residual fixed stapes footplate was found in 14%, and malleus fixation in 4%. Incus dislocation was found in 4%, and incus fixation in 2%. CONCLUSIONS: Prosthesis migration and subsequent fixation caused the majority of stapedectomy failures. Collagen contracture of the oval window neomembrane lifts the prosthesis out of the oval window fenestration. Prosthesis displacement then results from adhesions pulling the prosthesis or mechanical forces further tilting the prosthesis. Incus erosion results from vibration against the fixed prosthesis. Six specific stapedotomy recommendations are made to minimize postoperative prosthesis migration.

Adolescent↗

Mutation of the POU-domain gene Brn4/Pou3f4 affects middle-ear sound conduction in the mouse.

Mutagenesis of the POU-domain gene Brn4/Pou3f4 causes defects in the cochlear duct, semicircular canal, temporal bone and stapes footplate. The footplate defect suggested a middle-ear conductive component to the hearing loss associated with this mutation. This was examined by measuring velocity transfer functions at the umbo of wild type and knockout mice during sound stimulation of the tympanic membrane. When the median umbo velocity of test frequencies in the two groups were compared, the mid-range frequencies of the knockout mice showed a statistically reliable reduction in velocity (maximum of 13 dB) and high variability among animals. These results indicated that mutation of the POU-domain gene, Brn4, changed middle-ear sound conduction when measured at the umbo. The origin of the abnormal velocity response was sought by puncturing a hole in the pars flaccida (PF), and subsequently, measuring movements at the umbo and the head of the long arm of the incus. This hole permitted us to measure velocity at the tip of the incus long arm, just above the incudostapedial joint. The comparison of umbo behavior in both groups with PF perforated showed a loss of sensitivity in the mid-range frequencies of the knockout animals. A comparison of incus velocity in the two groups also exhibited a velocity reduction in the mid-range frequencies of the knockout animals. The reduction at the incus, however, was milder than observed at the umbo. The effect of the perforation in, and variability of, the knockout incus responses may have masked a more potent mid-range frequency effect. Nevertheless, evaluation of the stapes and oval window in knockout mice showed variable pathology from ear to ear. The presence of this pathology, the mid-frequency loss in incus sensitivity and the variability in incus velocity among animals suggested that abnormal stapes behavior in Brn4 deficient mice may determine the response of the ossicles, and thus account for the abnormal mid-frequency umbo behavior seen in knockout animals.

Animals↗

Malleus-stapes assembly: experience with two prostheses.

Tympanoplasty is often a necessary part of middle-ear surgery, the most common defect being that between an intact, mobile stapes and the malleus handle. The most readily available tissue is the patient's incus, reshaped to bridge the space between an intact stapes and the malleus. When the incus cannot be used, the hydroxyapatite Wehrs incus prosthesis can be used as an alternative.Twenty-six patients had an autograft incus ossiculoplasty and 20 patients underwent modified Wehrs incus prosthesis ossiculoplasty. The average post-operative air-bone gaps (ABGs) were 16.2 dB hearing loss (dBHL) and 17.2 dBHL, respectively. Air-bone gap closure to within 15 dBHL was achieved for 48 per cent of incus autografts and for 57 per cent of Wehrs prostheses, and to within 20 dBHL for 77 per cent and 62 per cent, respectively. Over four years follow up, the reconstruction was stable for each group, the ABGs being 17.7 dBHL and 17.1 dBHL, respectively.

Chronic Disease↗

[Ossicular reconstruction with autograft in type III].

OBJECTIVE: The prostheses known as biocompatible are usually proposed for columellar repair in absence of stapes but at which cost and which long-term tolerance? It appeared useful to study the possibilities of autograft ossicular reconstruction (incus and cortical bone) in absence of suprastructure of the stapes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study for 82 operated patients for cholesteatoma with lysis of the cruras of the stapes. Columellar repair was obtained by prosthesis, columella of cortical mastoid bone, and more often autograft of incus (54 cases). The technique of Autogreffe Tympanum-Cartilage-Os-Platinum (ATCOP) (Autograft Tympanum-Cartilage-Bone-Footplate is described: tympanic repair by fascia and cartilage from the concha is made at the first surgical step. Type III ossiculoplasty is performed at the second look. The distance tympanum-footplate is then lower than 6 mm and the body of the incus, preserved as a spare ossicle in the mastoid, has a sufficient length to be interposed in between new drum and footplate. RESULTS: 78% of the patients have final air bone gap less or equal than 30 decibels. The average post op air bone gap is 23 decibels with incus while it was 42 decibels before surgery. Average gain is 19 decibels. The cost of autograft is null and tolerance is excellent. CONCLUSION: Patient's incus is usable in type III ossiculoplasty thanks to a cartilage graft of the tympanic membrane. Patient's ossicle is a material of choice for columellar repair even in absence of the suprastructure of the stapes. Prostheses in biomaterial appear justified in case of absent or destroyed incus.

Adolescent↗

[Ossicular coupling of an implantable hearing aid transducer using an Er:YAG laser].

Special coupling devices made of pure gold or titanium have been developed to connect a new implantable hearing aid transducer (Tübingen implant) to the ossicular chain. They allow piezotransducer probe-tip connection to the long process of the incus or the stapedial head. Similar to the design of conventional PORPs (partial ossicular replacement prostheses), the coupling devices can be fixed at the ossicular chain, e.g., with the eye loop of stapedial piston prostheses or the bell element of golden wire PORPs. A crimp technique allows connection between coupling device and transducer probe tip [5]. The main disadvantage in connecting the long process of the incus or the stapes having is to drill a dorsal tympanotomy in the posterior wall of the ear canal during surgery. The short distance between tympanotomy and N. facialis contains serious surgical risks. To avoid the risk of facial paralysis, Fredrickson's alternative coupling technique for the body of the incus is investigated in this paper [2]. In this case, the transducer probe tip will be positioned to the incus body and placed on its surface with controlled elastic displacement of the ossicular chain. The simple direct attachment of the probe-tip end on the surface of the incus, however, will not guarantee a stable long-term connection. Thus, by creating a conical, 0.5-to 0.7-mm-deep hole in the incus, the probe tip will be fitted much better. With a novel surgical Erbium-YAG laser this can be done in a contactless procedure. In this paper, first results of microsurgical laser applications with human temporal bones will be shown.

Cochlear Implantation↗

Hydroxylapatite ossicular replacement prostheses: preliminary results.

Hearing results and extrusion rate for 89 consecutive patients receiving hydroxylapatite prostheses for hearing reconstruction were evaluated and compared to a control group of 75 patients who had received homograft bone or Plasti-Pore prostheses. At the 3-month follow-up, there were no cases of extrusion of the hydroxylapatite prostheses. Hearing success was defined as a postoperative air-bone gap of less than or equal to 15 dB for incus prostheses and partial ossicular replacement prostheses or less than or equal to 25 dB for incus-stapes prostheses and total ossicular replacement prostheses. There was a statistically significant difference in the distribution-of-success rate by prosthesis type for the hydroxylapatite. Incus, incus-stapes, and total ossicular replacement prosthesis results were similar, but partial ossicular replacement prosthesis results were poorer. The overall success rate in the hydroxylapatite group was 51.2%; in the control group, it was 60%. Hearing results tended to be better with the hydroxylapatite incus prosthesis than with the homograft bone incus, but poorer with the hydroxylapatite partial ossicular replacement prosthesis than with the Plasti-Pore. Several technical modifications of the prosthesis that may improve results with the hydroxylapatite partial ossicular replacement prosthesis are suggested. Hydroxylapatite middle ear prostheses appear to be a reasonable alternative to other more commonly used prostheses, which carry disadvantages related to the use of human tissue.

Adolescent↗

[A new self-retaining titanium-gold stapes prosthesis].

Various aspects of stapes surgery have been improved since its introduction in 1958 by Shea. However, fixation of the prosthesis on the long process of the incus remains difficult. Furthermore, the functional result of crimping cannot be predicted. Necrosis of the lenticular process still occurs. A new stapes prosthesis has been developed with the Kurz Co. The use of titanium allowed an innovative design: titanium has a shape memory, and a clip was constructed which uses this memory for fixation on the incus. Two new instruments were also developed to facilitate application of the prosthesis: a prosthesis inserter and a prosthesis crimper. The clip does not strangulate the incus; it is attached only to the superior and inferior surface of the incus, which are the crucial locations for mechanical transmission of the piston-like movements of the ossicular chain. Avoidance of circumferential attachment should reduce the risk of incus necrosis. Once the clip is pushed onto the incus no further crimping is necessary. The piston is of pure gold, as in this company's gold piston which has been in use for many years. In future the prosthesis may be all-titanium.

Gold↗

Evidence of residual disease in ossicles of patients undergoing cholesteatoma removal.

For the past several years there has been much debate regarding the advisability of reusing the incus for ossicular reconstruction in cases involving cholesteatoma. There appears to be some evidence that microscopic foci of cholesteatoma in the incus could lead to reimplantation of the cholesteatoma should the incus be used in the reconstruction phase. In an effort to elucidate the incidence of microscopic residual cholesteatoma, the incudes of patients with cholesteatoma were examined both grossly in the operating room and microscopically in the laboratory for erosion and residual cholesteatoma. Our examination showed that a number of specimens apparently free of cholesteatoma after macroscopic examination had microscopic evidence of cholesteatoma. Likewise, microscopic examination of an incus that appeared to be free of residual cholesteatoma revealed epithelial cells deeply invading the bone. Macroscopic examination consistently underestimated the amount of erosion that was clearly evident upon histologic examination. In light of these findings, gross examination of the incus after removal of cholesteatoma is not reliably predictive of invasive microscopic disease. Reusing the ossicles in this situation creates the potential of reimplanting the disease.

Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear↗

[Complications of three methods of stapedectomy].

In a group of 270 partial stapedectomies performed by one surgeon using teflon-piston prosthesis it was assessed whether incidence of complications depended on sequence of surgical steps. In group I of 50 ears classical stapedectomy was performed: 1. removal of stapes superstructure, 2. making a hole in the footplate, 3. placing the prosthesis on the incus. In group II of 167 ears the hole in the footplate was made before removal of stapes arch. In group III of 53 ears: 1. the hole in the footplate, 2. placing the prosthesis on the incus, 3. removal of stapes arch, was performed. Total deafness had one patient of the whole group. No patient had perilymphatic fistula and facial nerve palsy. Floating footplate developed in 4 patients of group I, in one patient of group II and in none patient of group III. Subluxation of incus developed in 3 patients of group I, in 12 patients of group II and in none patient of group III. Comparison of three stapedectomy methods showed that making the hole in the footplate before removal of stapes arch prevents floating footplate and placing the prosthesis on the incus before removal of stapes arch prevents subluxation of the incus.

Adolescent↗

Malleostapedotomy in revision surgery for otosclerosis.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the results of malleostapedotomy and to compare them with those of a conventional incus stapedotomy in a series of 82 consecutive surgical revisions in otosclerotic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 82 consecutive revision stapes surgery cases over 5 years were evaluated. The preoperative and postoperative audiometric data of 80 (97.5%) of the patients were obtained. RESULTS: 71 of the patients underwent a functional revision procedure as malleostapedotomy (56, 79%) or as incus stapedotomy (15, 21%). The most common cause of failure of primary surgery was a displaced or malfunctioning prosthesis (86.2%). Pathologic changes of the oval window were found in 80% of the cases. Problems of the incus were identified in 80% and abnormality of the malleus in 48.6% of the cases. The functional success rate of malleostapedotomy (closure within 10 dB) was found to be higher than that of traditional incus stapedotomy (p < 0.05). Overclosure was seen in 12 patients (17%) and a significant sensorineural hearing loss in 2 patients (3%). There were no dead ears in this series. The postoperative hearing results after first revision surgery were better than those after multiple surgical procedures (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Malleostapedotomy yields better functional hearing results than incus stapedotomy in revision surgery for otosclerosis. The detection of many malleus fixations was the result of the systematic exposure of the anterior malleal process and ligament through an endaural approach with superior canaloplasty.

Adult↗

WITHDRAWN: Management of Congenital Incudostapedial Anomalies in Stapes Surgery.

OBJECTIVES:: The management of developmental anomalies of the ossicular chain and otic capsule in stapes surgery tests the otologist's diagnostic skills and flexibility in technique and prosthesis choice. Although congenital malleus fixation and perilymph gusher are important clinical entities that have received considerable attention in the otolaryngology literature, congenital anomalies of the incus and stapes are less well described, can often be subtle, and have a distinct influence on management choice and hearing outcome. STUDY DESIGN AND PATIENTS:: A review of more than 200 stapes procedures yielded eight cases of identified congenital anomalies of the stapes or incudostapedial complex including congenital absence of the oval window with malformed incus and stapes, columellar-type stapes with promontory fixation, stapes superstructure fixation to the fallopian canal, and malformed incus with stapes superstructure fixation to the promontory. The developmental anatomy and surgical technique in each case are reviewed and hearing outcome is presented. RESULTS:: The surgical technique used in each case varied depending on the nuances of the ossicular anomaly and whether both the stapes and incus were affected. All eight ears (seven patients) that underwent a stapes procedure for either an isolated congenital stapes anomaly or a combined incudostapedial anomaly had a favorable hearing outcome with seven ears improving to within 10-dB and one ear to within 13-dB air-bone gap on postoperative audiometry. CONCLUSION:: Despite unanticipated findings of congenital anomalies of the stapes and incus during middle ear exploration for conductive hearing loss, a flexible management approach can lead to successful hearing outcomes.

Journal Article↗

Total implantation of the active hearing implant TICA for middle ear disease: a temporal bone study.

A subpopulation of hearing-impaired patients has conductive hearing loss that cannot be improved by classic tympanoplasty. Other patients have a mixed hearing loss and cannot be helped by present forms of ear surgery or by hearing aids. Possible help for some patients may come from current implantable hearing devices if these are modified for the patient's specific anatomic situation. The TICA LZ 3001 is a hearing implant for total implantation used to treat moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss. Most patients who use it have a normal ossicular chain that allows coupling of the implant to the incus. The present temporal bone study demonstrates that the TICA can also be used in patients with an interrupted ossicular chain. If the incus long process shows a defect, the TICA may be coupled to the incus body, and connection between the stapes and the long process of the incus can be achieved with a commercially available titanium-angle prosthesis or liquid ionomeric cement. In cases of an absent incus, the coupling axis of the transducer may be coupled to the stapes head via a modified coupling element. With an absent stapes, the coupling axis may be coupled directly to the perilymph by a coupling element similar to a gold stapes prosthesis.

Ear, Middle↗

[Failure of regain full function after surgery for otosclerosis: causes, diagnosis and treatment].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the causes, the diagnosis, the treatment and the results obtained by revision surgery, in cases of stapedectomy failures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 50 recent cases operated on between January 1997 and December 2001. DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE: All reoperated patients had clinical and audiological assessment; CT scan with virtual endoscopy. RESULTS: The mean time of onset of failure was 23 months. The mean preoperative air bone gap was 25.5 dB. Otoscopy revealed a retraction pocket caused by poor eustachian tube function in 9 cases. CT scan proved to be very effective at differentiating the cause of the failure. OPERATIVE FINDINGS: In 11 cases the prosthesis was too short, in 8 cases the prosthesis had migrated out of the hole of stapedotomy and in 6 cases the piston was fixed in the stapedotomy hole. A partial or complete lysis of the long process of the incus was frequently associated, but in 9 cases it was the only cause of the failure. In all the cases when the piston was displaced, the stapedotomy was found to be covered by a thin mucous membrane, avoiding labyrinthine fistula. In 3 cases, the failure was due to recurrent otosclerosis. In 5 cases the failure was due to a local anomaly at the level of the oval window niche, 2 cases of failure were due to a malleus ankylosis. In 5 cases fibrous adhesion was found between the incus and the mucosa of the promontory. In one case a reparative granuloma was found at the level of the oval window. TREATMENT: In cases of partial lysis of the long process of the incus, a new prosthesis was placed in a 0.4 mm diameter stapedotomy, performed using a KTP laser. A 0.4 mm diameter piston was extended 0.2 mm below stapedotomy to avoid a new extrusion. Indeed some prosthesis extrusion could be due to increased movements of the ossicular chain in cases of eustachian tube dysfunction. In cases of complete lysis of the long process of the incus, or in cases of a very short long process of the incus, a piston was put in the stapedotomy and attached to the malleus manubrium. The results of revision stapedotomy were favorable in the absence of associated fibrous tissue adhesion or local malformation. The air bone gap was found to be less than 10 dB in 40 cases and between 10 and 20 dB in 8 cases. An impairment of the air bone gap was found in 2 cases. No case of bone conduction impairment was found in this series.

Adult↗

Effect of magnetic resonance imaging on a new electromagnetic implantable middle ear hearing device.

OBJECTIVE: A 1.5-T magnetic resonance imager has been shown to be contraindicated for use in patients with pacemakers, cochlear implants, and neurostimulators. Our semi-implantable middle ear device uses a new adhesive bone cement. 4-META/MMA-TBB, for cementation of a 29-mg titanium-encased neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnet to the incus. METHODS: Five NdFeB magnets and four solid titanium cylinders were cemented onto the incus of five preserved human temporal bones and two cadaver heads. They were all inserted into a magnetic resonance imager and evaluated for possible disruption. RESULTS: Owing to the magnetic torque, the three magnets on the temporal bone were disrupted from the incus. The two cylinders on the temporal bones and the two cylinders and two magnets on the whole heads were not affected. The magnetic resonance imaging field did not affect the coercive force of the NdFeB magnets. CONCLUSION: The large torque produced by a magnetic resonance imager may disrupt the magnet-cement and cement-incus interfaces, causing dislodgement. We postulate that patients with implantable magnets on the incus should not undergo magnetic resonance imaging testing.

Cochlear Implants↗

Joint formation in the middle ear: lessons from the mouse and guinea pig.

The malleus, incus and stapes form an ossicle chain in the mammalian middle ear. These ossicles are articulated by joints that link the chain together. In humans and mice, fusion of the ossicles leads to hearing loss. However, in the adult guinea pig the malleus and incus are normally found as a single complex. In this report, we investigate how the malleus and incus form during mouse and guinea pig development. The murine malleus and incus develop from a single condensation that splits to form the two ossicles. Even before a morphological split, we show that the ossicles have distinct genetic identities and joint markers are expressed. In the guinea pig embryo, joint formation is initiated but no cavitation is observed, resulting in a single complex divided by a thin suture. The malleal-incudo complex in the guinea pig is, therefore, not caused by a defect in joint initiation.

Animals↗

Utilization of nickel-titanium shape memory alloy for stapes prosthesis.

A new type of stapes prosthesis made of nickel-titanium shape memory alloy wire was developed and its biocompatibility was examined in 24 ears of 12 cats. The prosthesis was implanted at the long crus of the incus. The incus was examined 27-355 days after operation. In 23 ears, the prosthesis was found macroscopically well implanted at the aimed position. In one ear the prosthesis was found to be dislocated and in another the prosthesis was slightly loosened. The incudes were removed and five specimens were prepared for scanning electron microscopy and the other specimens were observed under light microscopy. Histological studies revealed severe bone resorption of the long crus in the dislocated case and moderate bone resorption in the slightly loosened case. These bone resorptions were found to be caused by the inadvertent removal of the mucosal membrane during the implant operations. In seven ears under a light microscope and in one ear under a scanning electron microscope, slight bone resorption as bone erosion was seen at the contact area of the prosthesis. This bone resorption was induced by the mechanical pressure of the prosthesis and was not progressive due to fading of the pressure of the prosthesis. With the exception of pressure induced bone erosions, there was no progressive bone resorption which was prosthesis induced. The biocompatibility of the nickel-titanium alloy stapes prosthesis with the long crus of the incus was proved. The prosthesis should be implanted loosely at the long crus of the incus without removal of the mucosal membrane.

Animals↗