Surgical results of tympanoplasty with artificial ceramic ossicles

Abstract

We have been using ceramic for both partial ossicular replacement prosthesis (PORP) and total ossicluar replacement prosthesis (TORP) since 1982. In 1987, postoperative hearing results after 6 months of follow-up were assessed according to the criteria of Clinical Otology, Japan, for the 16 patients who have undergone this replacement. The success rate was 85.7% in total, 100% for PORP, 66.7% for TORP. These results are comparable to the findings at other centers. In order to improve on the shortcomings of previous ceramic prostheses, we designed two types: Hokudai-shaped PORP, and TORP. The hearing results with these new types in 9 patients was satisfactory.