Tympanoplasty with an intact stapes superstructure in chronic otitis media

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The objective of our study was to ascertain the functional results in terms of air bone gap (ABG) closure over 4 frequencies (0.5, 1, 2, 3 kHz) in patients with chronic otitis media (COM) that underwent tympanoplasty in the presence of a mobile stapes superstructure, and in particular excluding those cases in which the malleus was used in the reconstruction. METHODS: A retrospective review of our database between January 1, 2006 and June 1, 2018 identified all cases that underwent one of 3 recon-structive options: the classic Type III tympanoplasty in an open-cavity setting; the “stapes augmentation” (SA) type reconstruction where the sta-pes superstructure is augmented to the drum by an interposing partial ossiculoplasty of either autologous bone, cartilage, or prosthetic material; and the use of a total articular replacement prosthesis (TORP) from the stapes footplate to the drum in the presence of an intact superstructure. RESULTS: A total of 116 procedures in 112 patients were identified with a mean ABG reduction from 27 dB to 21 dB (P 30 dB. CONCLUSION: Tympanoplasty with an intact stapes superstructure in COM is expected to provide acceptable levels of surgical success. We did not identify any particular risk factors associated with improved outcome.