Utilization of incus with bone cement for total ossicular reconstruction

Abstract

Background: Total ossicular chain reconstructions are performed to connect mobile stapes footplate and tympanic membrane. Data on the use of incus for total ossicular reconstruction is quite limited in the literature. Objective: the main objective of this study is to describe a novel surgical method that utilizes incus with bone cement to stabilize the ossicular chain for total ossicular reconstruction. Materials and methods: 16 patients who underwent total ossicular reconstruction using our method were included in this study. We evaluated hearing by comparing preoperative and postoperative air-bone gap (ABG), air conduction (AC) and bone conduction (BC). the percentage of patients achieving ABG <= 20 dB was determined. Results: the mean preoperative ABG was 35.3 +/- 8.2 and postoperative ABG decreased significantly to 23.7 +/- 7.6 (p < .001). the mean preoperative AC (57.5 +/- 10) decreased significantly postoperatively to (46.5 +/- 13.3)(p = .014). There was not any difference between pre- and post-operative BC. We achieved successful hearing results (ABG <= 20dB) in 44% of patients. Conclusion: the use of incus with bone cement stabilization for total ossicular reconstruction seems a feasible option. Good hearing outcomes, and low cost, complication, and extrusion rate may be the main reasons to prefer this method.