Audiometric results of TORP and PORP middle ear reconstruction.

The results of 70 middle ear reconstructions using either total or partial ossicular replacement prostheses are presented, the mean observation period being 45 months. Twenty-seven of the prostheses (39%) were extruded, this occurring as late as 72 months after surgery, and four (6%) were removed at reoperation. The surgical results when assessed by the magnitude of the air-bone gap are comparable to those of other series in the literature. However, postoperative air conduction thresholds remained high, and 23% of the patients are using hearing aids. The average air-bone gap for the frequencies 0.5, 1, and 2 kHz does not provide information on patients' everyday hearing level, and should no longer be employed as an index for assessing the functional results of middle ear surgery.