Early results of titanium ossiculoplasty using the Kurz titanium prosthesis--a UK perspective.

Titanium has been shown to be a highly biocompatible material and recently interest has been raised by its use as a prosthetic material in the ear. Our objective was to prospectively assess the early results of titanium partial and total ossicular replacement prostheses in chronic ear disease. Thirty-three consecutive patients (20 titanium partials and 13 total ossicular replacement prostheses) were analysed and data from pre and post-operative pure tone audiograms were collected and compared at six months over a four frequency range (0.5-4 kHz) as well as using the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery criteria (0.5-3 kHz). Closure of the air-bone gap and improvement in air conduction at six months was also calculated. 69% of patients obtained an air-bone gap of < or = 20 dB, with titanium partial ossicular replacement prostheses (85 per cent) doing better than total ossicular replacement prostheses (46 per cent). There have been no cases of sensorineural hearing loss or extrusion. In conclusion, titanium prostheses are easy to use, allow good visibility and have shown good short-term results in our hands.