The efficiency of titanium middle ear prosthesis in ossicular chain reconstruction: our experience

Middle ear ossicular reconstruction is a challenging task for any otologist. Over a period of time, surgeons have tried various types of materials as ossicular prosthesis with varying amount of success. In the last decade, numerous studies have been conducted that have proved that titanium prosthesis is biocompatible. We have conducted this study to investigate the efficiency of titanium middle ear prosthesis (Eon Meditech Pvt. Ltd.) in tympanoplasty. Nineteen patients who underwent tympanoplasty with titanium prosthesis placement from January to October 2010 were included in the study. Fifteen patients underwent reconstruction using titanium PORP while four patients required titanium TORP. The average follow up period was 11.1 months. The pre-operative and post-operative PTAs and the closure of the air-bone gap (ABG) at 0.5, 1, 2, 3 KHz (as per the AAO-HNS guidelines) were analyzed. As per the Indian speech and hearing association (ISHA) guidelines, the patients were classified into groups based on the amount of hearing loss. The improvement in the mean PTA (AC) was 16.21 dB in the PORP group while it was 20.47 dB in the TORP group (P value < 0.05). According to ISHA guidelines, 18 out of 19 (94.8%) patients had either a normal hearing or a mild hearing loss post-operatively. The overall success rate (post-operative ABG ≤ 20 dB) of this series is 68.4%. In this series, there has been no extrusion of the prosthesis. Titanium prosthesis is delicate, easy and quick to handle. They are efficient and suitable implants for middle ear ossicular reconstruction. The use of cartilage between the prosthesis and the graft helps to prevent extrusion of the prosthesis.