Preliminary Functional Results of Tympanoplasty with Titanium Prostheses

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the use of titanium prostheses in tympanoplasty for reconstruction of the sound pressure and to evaluate the audiometric results obtained. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING AND PATIENTS: Retrospective chart review in a tertiary referral center. Between September 1998 and October 2000, 23 titanium middle ear implants (23 TORP) were used for reconstruction of the ossicular chain after tympanomastoidectomy. Preliminary functional results were obtained in 23 cases. RESULTS: Average follow-up time was 18 months (range, 12-40) and no adverse reactions or extrusions occurred. Seven of 16 canal wall down tympanoplasties (43.7%), and 3 of 7 canal wall up tympanoplasties performed (42.9%) had a postoperative air-bone gap of between 0 and 10 dB. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results show that titanium prosthesis provide a promising hearing result after total ossicular reconstruction, although long-term results are not yet available. The low weight of these prostheses may be the reason for the decrease in the air-bone gap.