Hearing results in tympanic membrane footplate and malleus-footplate assemblies

Ears with loss of the stapes arch present the otologist with a greater reconstructive challenge than those in which the arch is intact. A comparison has been made between the results of reconstructions in which a link was made between the malleus handle and stapes footplate and those in which a tympanic membrane to footplate assembly was used. In all 34 operations were studied, 17 in each group. Cases in which a malleus-footplate assembly was used had significantly smaller mean air-bone gaps (P = < 0.002) and larger mean hearing gains (P = < 0.03) 1 year after surgery.