THE EFFECT OF THE RECONSTRUCTION MATERIALS TO THE HEARING LEVELS IN OSSICULOPLASTY: LONG TERM RESULTS
1Bandırma Devlet Hastanesi, Kulak Burun ve Boğaz Hastalıkları, Balıkesir, Türkiye2Soma Fer Hastanesi, Kulak Burun ve Boğaz Hastalıkları, Manisa, Türkiye
3Erzincan Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Kulak Burun ve Boğaz Hastalıkları, Erzincan, Türkiye Objectives: The aim of the study is to evaluate the auditory results and acquisitions of the patients, who had pre-operative conductive hearing loss and underwent ossiculoplasty, according to the used materials.
Methods: Thirty-five patients files that underwent ossiculoplasty during tympanoplasty or tympanomastoidectomy between the years of 2008 and 2014 were investigated retrospectively. Demographic datas, pre-operative threshold of hearing, the material used in ossicular replacement, operation notes and post-operative audiometric investigations (at least 1 year later) were scanned. Twenty-eight of 35 patients, in whom incus and hydroxyapatite prosthesis are used for ossicular replacement, were included in the study.
Results: The ages of the patients were between 11 and 60. Shaped incus was used in 17 patients (group 1) and hydroxyapatite prosthesis was used in 11 patients (group 2). Post-operative graft membranes were intact in all the patients. Post-operative air bone gap (ABG) increased in 4 patients, ABG decreased or got closed in 24 patients. There was no statistically significant difference of hearing acquisition between the groups.
Conlusion: Incus can be preferred in ossicular replacement as it is cheap and easy to access. Hydroxyapatite prosthesis can also be used safely in the patients, who don't have autologous grafts.
Keywords : Incus interposition, hydroxiapatite, ossiculoplasty, air bone gap