Ossiculoplasty in incudostapedial joint defects: audiologic outcomes of three type of partial ossicular prostheses in retrospective clinical study 1995‐2015

The aim of this study was to investigate the audiologic outcome of three different ossicular prostheses applied on an isolated defect of the long incus process.2 Materials and methods This retrospective clinical study included 183 (range 17–65 years, of which 38,3% women and 61,7% men) patients who underwent ossiculoplasty for defects at the incudostapedial connection using: an hydroxylapatite prosthesis, according to Applebaum; or an angular titanium prosthesis, according to Plestler; or a Modified Garcia Ibanez Universal Prosthesis in hydroxylapatite and Flex H/A®, conducted by the same Otolaryngologist—Head and Neck surgeon of Vanvitelli University, from 1995 to 2015. A Modified Garcia Ibanez Universal Prosthesis in hydroxylapatite and Flex H/A® (Medtronic Xomed), with flexible pin in titanium, was placed on the stapes capitulum and the malleus was placed on the prosthesis head (Fig. 2). Hearing results were reported according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Committee of Hearing and Equilibrium guidelines for the evaluation of results of CHL treatment [22]. Successful hearing was defined as a postoperative ABG ≤ 20 dB.2.1 Statistical analysis Student t-test was used to compare the means of the pre- and postoperative hearing results and a X2 test was performed in evaluation of qualitative data. p values of