PARTIAL OSSICULAR RECONSTRUCTION IN CHILDREN - A REVIEW OF 62 OPERATIONS

Objective/Hypothesis: The published experience and audiometric results with ossicular reconstruction in children are limited. To better unde rstand the role of ossiculoplasty in children, audiometric results wer e examined for partial ossicular reconstructions performed on a pediat ric population. Study Design: Retrospective. Methods: Sixty-two partia l ossicular reconstructions performed on a pediatric population were r eviewed for audiometric results, prosthesis extrusion rates, and mecha nisms of failure at revision. Comparison of techniques and prosthesis types: porous polyethylene partial ossicular replacement prosthesis (P OP), Schuring ossicle cup (SOC), and modified Robinson prosthesis (MRP ) were also evaluated. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 72 months. Results: Six-month hearing results showed postoperative air-bone gaps less than or equal to 20 dB in 77% of cases. Successful results at 1 and 2 year s were retained in 1 and 2 years were retained in 66% and 63% of cases , respectively. Results for POPs at 1 and 2 years were 61% and 55%. Th e overall extrusion rate was approximately 3%. Conclusions: These resu lts compare favorably with those from other, mostly adult, studies. Co mparison of prosthesis types revealed generally stable long-term resul ts with few significant differences. Success with ossiculoplasty in ch ildren can be obtained by applying the same principles and approach to ossicular reconstruction as used in adults. Ossicular reconstruction in children remains a secondary goal after establishing a safe, dry, a nd stable ear. A discussion of techniques and comparative literature r eview are presented.