Vitality of Autotransplanted Ossicles

Abstract

Renewed interest in the surgical reconstruction of the middle ear mechanism has tempted the authors to design a new surgical method to produce optimal hearing improvement in subjects with interruption of the ossicular chain. The purpose of the method is to restore the connection between the tympanic membrane and the oval window by using autogenous transplantation of the ossicles. In previous studies the results of this method have been analyzed and justification for using this method has been confirmed. Long-term results are now available and the question of the vitality of autotransplanted ossicles is investigated. Microscopic studies have been performed on autotransplanted ossicles removed from the middle ear in human subjects at different intervals following the operation. It could be demonstrated that in patients subjected to stapedectomy and autotrans-plantation of ossicles vitality of the ossicles was satisfactory.