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Ossiculoplasty: a UK survey.
G Dhanasekar1, H K Khan, N Malik
1Department of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton, UK. dhanasekarent@aol.com
The Journal of Laryngology and Otology
|July 20, 2006
Summary
This study reveals ossiculoplasty is uncommon, performed by few specialists. Most surgeons use prostheses or autografts, often with tympanoplasty, performing fewer than 10 cases annually.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Surgical Practice
- Medical Research
Background:
- Ossiculoplasty is a surgical procedure to restore hearing by reconstructing the middle ear ossicles.
- The prevalence and current practice patterns of ossiculoplasty in the UK were not well-documented.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess and quantify the current surgical practice of ossiculoplasty among otolaryngology consultants in the United Kingdom.
- To identify the frequency, techniques, and common co-procedures associated with ossiculoplasty.
Main Methods:
- A postal questionnaire survey was distributed to British otolaryngology consultants.
- Data on the performance of ossiculoplasty, materials used, and surgical context were collected and analyzed.
Main Results:
- A response rate of 51.9% was achieved from 280 consultants, with 63.9% performing ossiculoplasty.
- The majority (86.5%) utilized artificial prostheses, and 63.7% used autografts.
- Ossiculoplasty was frequently performed with primary tympanoplasty (77.6%) rather than cholesteatoma surgery (46.3%), with most surgeons performing <10 cases/year.
Conclusions:
- Ossiculoplasty is an infrequent procedure in the UK, primarily conducted by otologists with a specialized interest.
- Current practice favors the use of prostheses and autografts, often combined with tympanoplasty.
- This survey provides the first comprehensive overview of ossiculoplasty surgical practices in the United Kingdom.