Incudostapedial rebridging ossiculoplasty with bone cement

Abstract

Objective: This study reports the authors' technique and hearing results with bone cement reconstruction of the incudostapedial chain. The technique is called incudostapedial rebridging ossiculoplasty.

Study design: A retrospective analysis of the hearing results of the incudostapedial rebridging ossiculoplasty was performed on 15 patients.

Background: Recently, bone cements have been available commercially, and their use in otologic surgery is increasing. Polymaleinate glass ionomer cement is a commercially available bone cement that can be used to reconstruct a discontinuity between the incus and the stapes.

Setting: Tertiary referral center.

Patients: Disease-free or cleansed middle ear and mastoid and intact ossicular chain except for discontinuity between the long process of the incus and the head of the stapes.

Interventions: Therapeutic.

Main outcomes measures: Functional results of incudostapedial rebridging ossiculoplasty.

Results: Of 15 patients, 9 achieved a successful hearing result (an air-bone gap within 20 dB) with incudostapedial rebridging ossiculoplasty after 1 year. The mean preoperative and postoperative air-bone gaps were 32.9 and 14.3 dB, respectively.

Conclusions: Incudostapedial rebridging ossiculoplasty with bone cement is a cost-effective and safe procedure that yields good hearing results in selected patients.