Fascial Arthroplastic Ossiculoplasty - A New Technique of Ossicular Reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE: Ossicular reconstruction with autologous materials has been practised for a long time, but the procedure may lead to stiffness of joints and bony ankyloses thus hampering the sound conduction mechanism. This paper describes a novel technique of creating joint capsule around the reconstructed joints with temporalis fascia strips hoping a firm and movable union with full functional restoration.

MATERIALS & METHODS: This study is a prospective study of 35 patients requiring tympanomastoid surgery with ossicular reconstruction and were studied over a period of 2 years. The newly reconstructed ossicular joints were wrapped with temporalis fascia strips. Post-operatively air-bone gap closure were studied and statistically analysed.

RESULTS: A significant air-bone gap closure was achieved in 23 patients, while moderate improvement was seen in remaining cases. Only 1 patient had tympanic membrane graft failure and rest all had well healed tympanic membrane.

CONCLUSION: Fascial arthroplastic ossiculoplasty is a simple and safe procedure and the results are reproducible and more predictable. It provides an ossicular assembly which is near to normal in its physiological functions.