Hearing results after stapedotomy with a nitinol piston prosthesis

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Neurosurgery
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Otosclerosis is a condition affecting the stapes bone, leading to hearing loss.
• Stapedotomy is a surgical procedure to restore hearing by replacing the stapes.
• Prosthetic materials like platinum wire and nitinol are used in stapedotomy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the hearing outcomes of stapedotomy using platinum wire versus nitinol piston prostheses.
• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of nitinol prostheses in otosclerosis surgery.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 79 patients with otosclerosis who underwent primary stapedotomy.
• Comparison of hearing results between platinum wire and nitinol stapes piston prostheses.
• Analysis included postoperative air-bone gap and speech reception threshold.

Main Results:

• Both prostheses demonstrated comparable hearing results.
• Postoperative air-bone gap closure was similar: 21 dB (platinum) vs. 25 dB (nitinol).
• Postoperative speech reception thresholds were also equivalent: 25 dB for both groups.

Conclusions:

• Nitinol prostheses are equivalent to platinum wire prostheses for improving air-bone gap in otosclerosis.
• The ease and safety of heat-activated nitinol crimping support its use in stapes surgery.
• Nitinol offers a viable alternative for stapes replacement in otosclerosis treatment.