Comparison of Ossiculoplasty Using Autograft Ossicle Versus Allograft (Teflon)

Chronic suppurative otitis media in almost any form can disrupt the integrity of ossicular chain. Various materials have been used for ossicular substitution or reconstruction, including both biologic and alloplastic materials. Teflon piston is now the most widely used prosthesis for reconstruction of the ossicular chain in cases of otosclerosis. The oto-surgeons are still confronted with problems of ossicular reconstruction regarding the surgical procedure to be done, type of graft to be selected especially in low and poor socioeconomic population. Thus, there is a need felt to comprehensively and holistically evaluate the outcome of ossiculoplasty using Autograft ossicle versus Allograft ossicle (Teflon). Total 64 patients of chronic suppurative otitis media with no active ear infection and air-bone-gap of more than 15 dB were admitted for surgery and divided into two groups according to material used for ossiculoplasty as group A (Autograft) and group B (Allograft). Patients were evaluated at 3 and 6 months post-operatively using audiogram. In both Group A and B, the average pre-operative AC was 40.62 dB (SD 9.65) and 39.37 (SD 10.53) respectively. In 3 months there was a change of 8.83% from 40.62 dB to 37.03 dB in Group-A (p < 0.109, not statistically significant) and 13.10% change from 39.37 dB to 34.21 dB in Group-B (p < 0.049, statistically significant) whereas at 6 months, air conduction improved by 14.22% in Group-A (p < 0.01, statistically significant) and by 21.81% in Group-B (p < 0.001, highly statistically significant). Post-operatively at 3 months, improved AB gap was 62.5% in Group-A and 68.75% in Group-B patients. Post-operative AB gap at 6 months, improvement was seen in 78.12% in Group-A while it was 81.25% in Group-B patients. Alloplastic Teflon ossicle appears to be a good alternative for ossicular reconstruction where autologous incus is not available or disease precludes its use.