[Revision ossiculoplasty: anatomical and functional results]

To analyse the anatomical and functional results after second-look ossiculoplasty using Titanium (TI) and Hydroxyapatite (HA) prosthesis and to study the prognostic factors for good functional results.

Forty nine patients (19 men and 30 women) with an average age of 36 years were included in this study. The patients presented with anatomical and/or functional failures after a first ossiculoplasty and had a second-look intervention. The status of the first prosthesis and also the anatomical status of the middle ear and the remaining ossicular chain were described intra operatively. The functional and anatomical results were assessed 2 months after the second ossiculoplasty and during the most recent out patient clinic. Postoperative air conduction gain (ACG) and air bone gap (ABG) were calculated in average values using four frequencies: 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz. The variables used in statistical analysis were the following: Tympanic membrane and preoperative middle ear status, the type of prosthesis (partial or total) and its material (TI and HA).

The average time to second-look operation was 18 months. The postoperative ABG did not show any significant statistic improvement and in several patients auditory function deteriorated in the operated ear The predictive factors for good functional results were: The integrity of the tympanic membrane, chronic otitis media without cholesteatoma, total prosthesis and HA prosthesis. If three of these factors were present, the postoperative ABG would always be less than 20 dB.

When selecting patients for second look ossibuloplasty it is important to understand the predictive facctors for good results. This will allow a full discussion of options, risks and morbidity with the patient.