Autogenous cartilage—Perichondrium stapes replacement prosthesis

Abstract

An inexpensive autogenous cartilage—perichondrium-complex prosthesis (SRP—Stapes Replacement Prosthesis), constructed from the tragal cartilage, which is easily and readily available under local anesthesia, for replacing the stapes after total stapedectomy, is presented. It provides a good oval window seal and an excellent ‘canoe’-‘mast’ sound transmitting mechanism. The postoperative improvement in hearing is as good as and comparable to that following other available methods. Being an autogenous prosthesis there is no rejection or immune reaction in the internal ear leading to sensorineural deafness. It is superior to the other techniques in-so-far as (a) there is no possibility of the SRP perforating into the inner ear leading to sensorineural deafness and (b) there is no chance of pressure necrosis of the incus since there is no jeopardy to the blood supply to the bone.