[Bacteriologic studies on the preservation of bone implants]

High demands on freedom from germs are made on auditory ossicles to be used as implants. Postoperative infections often result from the existence of germ-contaminated ossicles. That is why we undertook microbiological examinations, using three frequently applied preserving methods for auditory ossicles kept for tympanoplasties. The results of the examinations were: Disinfection by Cialit (often used in clinical practice) produced unsatisfactory results. Disinfection by ethyl alcohol (70 per cent) and a subsequent treatment with thiomersal-Ringer's solution (0.4 per cent) yielded satisfactory results. Disinfection by preservation with an aqueous solution of formalin and subsequent treatment with Cialit proved most effective. None of the applicated germs could be regrown.