Abstract
Forty-two ears with auditory ossicular malformations without any anomalies of the external auditory meatus underwent either an ossicular reconstruction or stapes surgery at Kurume University between 1989 and 2004. The success rate in hearing was calculated based on the following criteria: 1) a A-B gap: of not more than 15 dB, 2) Hearing gain: more than 15 dB, and, 3) Hearing level: not more than 30 dB. The results were considered to be satisfactory if one of the three criteria was successfully achieved (Otology Japan, 2000). The classification results were as follows: A separation of the incudo-stapedial joint was seen in 20 ears (48%), a fixation of the malleus and/or incus in 1 ear (2%), and a fixation of the stapes footplate in 14 ears (33%). Multifocal malformations were seen in 7 ears (17%). An ossicular reconstruction and a small fenestra stapedectomy were performed in 39 ears. The modified type III method was performed in 18 ears and a small fenestra stapedectomy was performed in 13 ears. We evaluated the hearing results in 31 ears which we were able to observe for more than six months after the operation. An improvement in the hearing was found in 90% of the cases.
