Performance assessment of ossicular chain reconstructions in a University hospital.

Abstract

It remains to be demonstrated that normal, day-to-day routine surgery is as effective as it would appear from the literature, where the results of very experienced surgeons are presented. The object of this study was to measure our performance for ossicular chain reconstructions. One hundred and thirty-eight total and partial reconstructions performed by 13 different surgeons were evaluated. The population was divided into four different groups based on the presence or absence of the canal wall and stapes suprastructure. The results varied widely. A number of patients benefited greatly, whereas others experienced deterioration in their hearing. The best improvement (median 13 dB) was achieved in the group with an intact canal wall and absent stapes suprastructure. The postoperative air bone gap was better for autologous incus rather than prosthesis in the group where the canal wall and stapes were intact. There were three minor complications. This continuous feedback reports exceptional results (good and bad). The strengths and weaknesses of the department can be determined. This feedback indicates that this procedure is safe and beneficial for the patients in our Institution.