Next generation shape memory prosthesis (NiTiBOND) for stapedotomy: Short-term results.

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Neurosurgery

Background:

• Stapedotomy is a surgical procedure to restore hearing in patients with otosclerosis.
• Shape memory alloy prostheses, such as the SMart prosthesis, are commonly used in stapedotomy.
• The NiTiBOND prosthesis represents a next-generation advancement in stapedotomy implants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the hearing outcomes and complication rates of the NiTiBOND prosthesis.
• To compare the performance of the NiTiBOND prosthesis with the existing SMart prosthesis.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective, multicenter chart review was conducted.
• Ninety-two ears (79 patients) undergoing primary laser stapedotomy with either NiTiBOND or SMart prosthesis were analyzed.
• Hearing results (air-bone gap, speech discrimination) and complications were compared between the two prosthesis groups.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in hearing results were observed between the NiTiBOND and SMart groups.
• Short-term success rates were initially higher for NiTiBOND, but converged with SMart at later follow-up.
• Both prostheses demonstrated similar complication rates, with a trend towards lower vertigo in the NiTiBOND group; no revisions were needed.

Conclusions:

• The NiTiBOND prosthesis is a safe alternative to the SMart prosthesis for stapedotomy.
• Comparable hearing results are achieved with both prostheses.
• The NiTiBOND prosthesis may offer certain surgical advantages.