Autograft Incus Research Articles

English

BACKGROUND Otologists always yearn to improve the hearing outcome of their patients with chronic suppurative otitis media. There are different options for ossiculoplasty to choose from, depending on the extent of disease, condition of ossicular chain and availability of implant material and there has always been a quest to make appropriate decision with a predictable outcome. In this study, we have tried to analyse various factors which can affect hearing outcome after Ossiculoplasty. METHODS A retrospective study was done to study the effect of implant material, condition of ossicular chain and disease in the mastoid on post-operative hearing improvement on 200 patients, who underwent tympanoplasty or tympanomastoidectomy from January 2018 to January 2020, in Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, K.D. Medical College, Mathura. Decision of ossiculoplasty was made based on intra-operative findings. Autograft incus, Teflon TORP (total ossicular replacement prosthesis) and cartilage columella were used based on availability and feasibility. RESULTS Mean improvement in average air-bone gap of 200 patients was found to be 18.57 dB, with autograft incus, it was 19.99 dB, with Teflon TORP (total ossicular replacement prosthesis), 19.53 dB and with cartilage columella 16.73 dB (P = 0.023). Mean hearing improvement was 18.98 dB when handle of malleus was present and 15.59 dB when it was absent (P = 0.023). Mean hearing improvement was 19.42 dB when stapes superstructure was present and 16.92 dB when it was absent (P = 0.016). Even though the hearing outcome was better when mastoid was disease free (19.57 dB) compared to when it was diseased (18.30 dB), the difference was not statistically significant. (P = 0.177) CONCLUSIONS In our study, we found autograft incus to be the best material for ossiculoplasty and presence of handle of malleus and stapes superstructure improved postoperative hearing outcome significantly but involvement of mastoid by disease did not significantly affect the hearing outcome post-operatively. KEYWORDS Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media, Ossiculoplasty, Tympanoplasty, Ossicular Prosthesis, Autograft

Comparative Study of Autologous Ossicular Graft versus Titanium Prosthesis (TORP & PORP) in Ossiculoplasty

Introduction
 This prospective cohort study aims to analyze and compare the outcomes of ossiculoplasty in terms of hearing results, intra and post operative course, using autograft incus and titanium middle ear prosthesis.
 Materials and Methods
 Patients with a history of chronic ear discharge and conductive deafness were included in the study. Out of 21 patients with ossicular chain defect included in the study, 10 patients underwent ossiculoplasty with autograft incus and 11 with titanium prosthesis. Pure tone audiogram was done after three months.
 Result
 In patients with incus ossiculoplasty, average Post operative PTA was 43.5 dB ± 7.934SD and Net gain in hearing was 10.7 decibels ± 15.478SD. In patients with titanium prosthesis ossiculoplasty, average Post operative PTA was 41.4 dB ± 4.789SD and Net gain in hearing was 16 decibels ± 11.981SD.
 Discussion 
 Three patients underwent only Tympanoplasty post operative PTA was 42 ± 5.292 dB (incus- 39 dB, titanium- 48dB) and hearing gain was 13.33 ± 12.583 (incus-20dB, titanium-0dB). Five patients underwent intact canal wall with Tympanoplasty: Post operative PTA was 35 ± 3 dB (incus-35dB, titanium-30dB) and hearing gain was 23 ± 15.379 (incus-18.33dB, titanium-30dB). Thirteen patients underwent canal wall down procedure with Tympanoplasty: Post operative PTA was 45.67 ± 5.228 dB (incus-50.4dB, titanium-41.8dB) and hearing gain was 9.33 ± 12.309 (incus-2.4dB, titanium-14.285dB). Complications in the short period studied were nil in both groups.
 Conclusion 
 Incus and titanium have equal postoperative hearing but in terms of hearing gain Titanium prosthesis gave a better hearing gain than incus.

Ossiculoplasty: study of hearing results in 50 patients

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Ossiculoplasty improves conductive hearing loss. Various reconstruction methods and techniques are developed with use of different graft materials over period of time. Results of ossiculoplasty can be predetermined with consideration of prognostic factors<span lang="EN-IN">. </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> The present study is retrospective study of 50 patients who underwent ossiculoplasty in the medical college hospital over the period of 3 years i.e. from January 2013 to December 2016. The pre-operative and post-operative audiometric findings were documented and analyzed to study the hearing improvement with the use of auto graft malleus and incus for ossiculoplasty. The results of ossiculoplasty were also compared with other studies done for ossiculoplasty. Predictors of ossiculoplasty results such as ossicular status and middle ear mucosa were also studied<span lang="EN-IN">. </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> The average post-operative air bone gap was 12.92 dB. The mean post-operative ABG was within 20 dB in both primary and revision cases. Average air-bone closure in patients with normal mucosa was 32.1 dB and that of adhesive mucosa was 18 dB. Significant improvement in post-operative air-bone closure (p <0.01) was observed in patients with auto graft incus than malleus head as ossiculoplast<span lang="EN-IN">. </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> 84% ossiculopasty patients were having post-operative air bone gap within 20 dB. The ossiculoplasty using auto graft ossicle is physiological, biocompatible, stable and has low complication rate<span lang="EN-IN">.</span></p>

Outcome of Incus Interposition after Preservation in Soft Tissue.

The lenticular process of the incus succumbs to necrosis in chronic otitis media. Few researchers have addressed the issue of autograft incus preservation in the soft tissue of the tragus or mastoid cavity. Nonetheless, preservation of the incus in this method during the second stage of ossiculoplasty is a subject that is still up for debate. This study was carried out to demonstrate the hearing outcome after a modification of the incus interposition technique, which involved preserving it in the periauricular soft tissue. In the primary operations, tympanoplasty was performed with a postauricular incision. At the end of the surgery, a small pocket was created to preserve the incus beneath the temporalis fascia. The second stage of ossiculoplasty was performed 6 to 18 months after the primary operation. Post-operative pure tone audiometry was analyzed after at least 12 months and was considered successful after achieving an air-bone gap (ABG) within 20 dB. In this paper, we analyzed 199 ears. The mean duration of follow up was 2.5 years. We achieved post-operative ABG within 20 dB in 157 patients (78.9% of patients). This study indicates the efficacy and safety of incus interposition when it is preserved in the postauricular soft tissue.

A comparison of autograft incus and titanium prostheses in primary ossiculoplasty in modified radical mastoidectomy

Background: Numerous graft materials are available for ossicular reconstruction yet, no single option is considered ideal. This study aims to analyze and compare the outcome of primary ossiculoplasty in terms of hearing gain using autograft incus and titanium (Ti) prostheses in patients with active squamosal chronic otitis media (COM) undergoing modified radical mastoidectomy (MRM). Study Design: Randomized study. Materials and Methods: Sixty patients with active squamosal COM with ossicular chain erosion undergoing MRM were divided into two equal groups. First group underwent ossiculoplasty with autograft incus and the second group received Ti prostheses. Follow-up was done over a period of 6 months and hearing thresholds were evaluated postoperatively at 3rd and 6th month at the four frequency average of 0.5/1/2/4 KHz. Results: There was no significant difference in air conduction (AC) gain when the inter-group comparison is made (P > 0.05 at 3rd and 6th month), however, intra-group AC gain was significant in both groups, at the end of the 3rd month and 6th month (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Autograft incus and Ti prostheses both give a comparable hearing gain in ossicular reconstruction. Ti prostheses are a good alternative in longstanding cases of active squamous COM without any available ossicular autograft for hearing reconstruction.

Ossiculoplasty: a prospective study of 80 cases.

The use of ossicular graft material in ossicular chain reconstruction has significantly improved hearing results hearing after tympanoplasty and tympanomastoid surgery for chronic otitis media. Today, otologists have a wide array of tools from which to choose, but may find it difficult to know which middle ear implant works best. A prospective study of 80 patients who underwent ossiculoplasty was performed in the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) department at a tertiary health care facility from 2011 to 2013. Patients with chronic suppurative otitis media with an air-bone gap (ABG) of >25 dB with ossicular involvement were included in the study. Total ossicular replacement prosthesis (TORP), partial ossicular replacement prosthesis (PORP), and refashioned incus were used. Success was defined as ABG <25 dB on postoperative Day 90. The majority patients were of middle age with moderate conductive hearing loss. Incus was the most susceptible ossicle. Overall success rate in this study was 80.0% with an average change of 15.76 dB in ABG. With continuing advances in our understanding of middle ear mechanics, the results of ossiculoplasty are improving and results can be very rewarding in experienced hands. Severity of preoperative ear discharge, preoperative mastoid cellularity, presence of disease, and surgical procedure proved to be significant prognostic factors. Autograft incus and PORP fared better when the malleus handle was present while TORP gave better results when the malleus handle was eroded.

Comparison of incus interpositioning technique versus glass ionomer cement application in type 2 tympanoplasty

Objective of this study is to compare glass ionomer cement application and incus interpositioning techniques in patients who have chronic otitis media, conductive hearing loss with intact tympanic membrane and who undergo hearing reconstruction of staged surgery using a retrospective chart review in the setting of Ministry of Health Ankara Training and Research Hospital ENT Clinic, Turkey. We retrospectively evaluated patients who underwent otological surgery and hearing reconstruction with auto graft incus during 2005-2008 or glass ionomer cement during 2008-2010. Patients who had cholesteatoma, stapes fixation and tympanosclerosis were excluded. Postoperative mean follow-up time of 107 patients was 9.8 months (6-38 months, 83.2 % of them was ≤ 9 months). Postoperative pure tone hearing thresholds, graft status, gain scores and air bone gaps were recorded. Intact graft, dry ear on the operated side and ABG scores less than 20 dB were accepted as surgical success. Preoperative ABG score was 30.6 ± 7.93 dB in glass ionomer (group I) and 33.6 ± 11.99 dB in incus interpositioning (group II). Postoperative ABG scores were 13.6 ± 10.40 and 22.6 ± 12.39 dB, respectively, in group I and II. Success of closure in ABG scores was obtained in both groups (p < 0.001). Gain scores in group I were better (p = 0.035). Graft success (p = 0.020) correlated with gain score. Results showed that the glass ionomer cement application is a good, cost-effective technique, easy to perform and yields better hearing scores and lower complication rates compared to incus interpositioning technique.

Ossiculoplasty with autologous incus versus titanium prosthesis: A comparison of anatomical and functional results

Aims: To analyze and compare the outcomes of ossiculoplasty in terms of hearing results and graft take-up rates, using autograft incus and titanium middle ear prosthesis in patients with ossicular chain erosion. Study Design: Randomized clinical trial. Materials and Methods: Patients between 10 and 60 years of age with a history of chronic ear discharge with moderate conductive deafness (>40 dB HL) were included in the study. The patients underwent detailed ENT examination followed by audiological and radiological assessment of temporal bone and those patients with evidence of ossicular erosion were subjected to ossiculoplasty with autologous incus (group I) or titanium prosthesis (group II) randomly. The patients were followed up after 3 months to analyze the functional and anatomical results. Results: A total of 24 patients with ossicular chain defect were included in the study, of whom 12 patients underwent ossiculoplasty with autograft incus and 12 with titanium prosthesis. Postoperative hearing evaluation by pure tone audiogram was done after 3 months, which showed successful hearing improvement in 58% of cases with autologous incus as compared to 33% cases with titanium prosthesis. Complications and extrusion rate were also higher in patients with titanium prosthesis. Conclusion: Hearing results after ossiculoplasty with autologous incus were significantly better compared with those after titanium prosthesis. Also, complications and extrusion rate were higher in patients with titanium prosthesis. This indicates that ossiculoplasty with autoincus offers better hearing results with minimal complications and extrusion rates as compared to titanium prosthesis.

Malleus–stapes assembly: experience with two prostheses

Tympanoplasty is often a necessary part of middle-ear surgery, the most common defect being that between an intact, mobile stapes and the malleus handle. The most readily available tissue is the patient's incus, reshaped to bridge the space between an intact stapes and the malleus. When the incus cannot be used, the hydroxyapatite Wehrs incus prosthesis can be used as an alternative.Twenty-six patients had an autograft incus ossiculoplasty and 20 patients underwent modified Wehrs incus prosthesis ossiculoplasty. The average post-operative air-bone gaps (ABGs) were 16.2 dB hearing loss (dBHL) and 17.2 dBHL, respectively. Air-bone gap closure to within 15 dBHL was achieved for 48 per cent of incus autografts and for 57 per cent of Wehrs prostheses, and to within 20 dBHL for 77 per cent and 62 per cent, respectively. Over four years follow up, the reconstruction was stable for each group, the ABGs being 17.7 dBHL and 17.1 dBHL, respectively.

How we do it: Modified Wehrs incus ossiculoplasty

Keypoints * Ossiculoplasty is commonly performed as part of tympanoplasty. Hydroxyapatite is a favoured material for ossicular protheses. * A modification to the Wehrs incus prosthesis is described. * Twenty-one procedures were performed on 20 patients and the results are reported. * On average there was a 4-5 dB closure of the air-bone gap (ABG), with patients having a hearing gain procedure averaging 11 dB closure. Air-bone gap closure to <or=20 dB was achieved between 78% (0.5, 1, 2 kHz average) and 60% (0.5, 1, 2, 4 kHz average) of patients and this was stable during long-term follow-up of the ABG. * Wehrs incus prosthesis ossiculoplasty provides a reliable result following ossiculoplasty when autograft incus is not available.

Hydroxylapatite Implants For Otologic Surgery

This article reviews the evolution of ossicular reconstruction from the autograft incus through homografts to hydroxylapatite prostheses in use today. In this way, a tried and true design has been combined with a mass-produced biocompatible material to produce a versatile prosthesis that will give excellent and consistent hearing results.

Tympanoplasty: long-term hearing results with incus grafts.

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to analyze long‐term hearing results in 122 tympanoplasties with incus repositioning and in 64 tympanoplasties using a homograft incus. The mean postoperative follow‐up period in the autograft incus group was 56 months (range 18 to 95 months) and in the homograft incus group 54 months (range 28 to 87 months). Results were compared after incus placement between the tympanic membrane‐malleus complex and stapes head and placement between the tympanic membrane‐malleus complex and stapes footplate. In each group, hearing results tended to be better after malleus‐to‐stapes head placement. There was no statistically significant difference in the results achieved when similar incus placements in the two groups were compared. When the data on malleus‐to‐stapes head tympanoplasty (152 patients) and malleus‐to‐stapes footplate tympanoplasty (34 patients) in each group were combined, the results with malleus‐to‐stapes head placements were considerably better (P = 0.01). The best hearing results were not satisfactory, however, with only 54 percent of the malleus‐to‐stapes head placements achieving a socially adequate hearing level and the air‐bone gap being closed to within 15 db on only 32 percent.Hearing results were also analyzed for three subgroups. The autograft and homograft incus groups were combined. The first subgroup consisted of 30 patients who had no additional surgery other than ossicular chain reconstruction; the second subgroup consisted of 53 patients who in addition to ossicular chain reconstruction had closure of the tympanic membrane perforation; the third subgroup consisted of 103 patients who in addition to ossicular chain reconstruction had tympanic membrane perforation repair and mastoidectomy. There was no statistically significant difference in the hearing results among the three subgroups.Eleven percent of the autograft incus group and 13 percent of the homograft incus group initially had excellent hearing results and then, at various times after the operation, developed gradual deterioration in auditory acuity, which eventually resulted in an unsatisfactory hearing level. In revision operations, the most common cause of failure was non‐attachment of the incus to the head of the stapes. Second in frequency was fixation of the ossicular chain by fibrous tissue and impaction of the incus against the posterior bony annular rim. The most serious complication was depression in cochlear reserve, which occurred in 5 percent of the 186 tympanoplasties. This analysis of the long‐term hearing results achieved with incus grafts revealed that the results were far from satisfactory.