Long-term results with hydroxylapatite middle ear implants.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated long-term results in patients who had ossicular reconstruction with a Goldenberg hydroxylapatite implant. METHODS: A total of 233 patients underwent implantation; of these, 77 had 5-year or longer follow-up and are the subjects of this study of long-term hearing results. All 233 patients were included for analysis of extrusion rate and postoperative otorrhea. RESULTS: The hearing success rate at long-term follow-up was 56.8%; the mean air-bone gap was 21.1 dB. Prosthesis extrusion occurred in 5.29% of the 233 patients, and visible slippage occurred in 7.7%. Overall, 50. 6% of patients met the criteria for successful hearing, which included no extrusion and a dry ear. Better hearing before surgery and presence of the malleus long process were factors associated with a successful hearing result, as was tympanoplasty alone and canal wall up tympanomastoidectomy. CONCLUSION: Hydroxylapatite hybrid prostheses provide stable hearing results over time with low extrusion and a dry ear overall.