Ossiculoplasty using Egyptian made aluminum oxide ceramic prostheses

ABSTRACT

The reconstruction of ossicular chain in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media has been a challenge to the otologists. We used the different forms of Egyptian made aluminum oxide ceramic prostheses [IA, ISA, PORP and TORP] for ossiculoplasty in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media, the biocompatibility of Egyptian aluminum oxide ceramic was tested in experimental animals in previous study. The aim of this work is to evaluate the results of aluminum oxide ceramic prostheses in ossiculoplasty and to compare them with the commonly used autografts [incus and cartilage columellae]. Aluminum oxide ceramic prostheses showed good results in hearing improvement and the total percentage of success was 76 percent. The extrusion rate was 3.4 percent. The good hearing improvement was better than those achieved with autograft cartilage and nearly the same as achieved with autograft incus. Aluminum oxide ceramic prostheses are not degradable and stable in the body for more than one year [period of our follow up study]