Functional results of plastipore prostheses for middle ear ossicular chain reconstruction

Objective: Assessment of plastipore prostheses for middle ear ossicular chain reconstruction. Hearing results with total and partial Plastipore ossicular replacement prostheses (TORP and PORP) were evaluated in open‐ and closed‐cavity operations. Study Design: A retrospective review of 237 patients who underwent operation for chronic ear disease as well as ossiculoplasty with plastipore prostheses. In order to assess the functional results, only 156 of 237 patients were included in the study. Follow‐up ranged from 6 to 46 months. Methods: Canal wall up and canal wall down operations were performed. Either TORP or PORP ossiculoplasty was performed in each operation. An air‐bone gap closure to within 20 dB was considered successful. Results: With TORPs, the air‐bone gap closure to within 20 dB was achieved in 43.1%, and similar results were obtained with PORPs in 63.3%. In canal wall down and canal wall up operations, the success rates were 55.8% and 55.7%, respectively. The best results were obtained with PORPs in canal wall down operations, with a success rate of 82%. The extrusion rate of the prostheses was 4.2%. Conclusion: Hearing results of PORPs are better than TORPs. In canal wall up and canal wall down operations similar hearing results are obtained. PORP ossiculoplasty in a canal wall down operation yields the most favorable hearing result.