Tympanoplasty: TORPS and PORPS.

We reviewed 106 cases in which PlastiPoreTM prostheses were used for ossicular reconstruction. In all cases a piece of cartilage was interposed between the prosthesis and the tympanic membrane graft to prevent the potential problem of prosthesis extrusion. With total ossicular replacement prostheses (TORPs) 55% closed to within 10 db and 85% closed to within 20 db of the bone conduction level. Closure to within 10 db of the bone conduction level was accomplished in 64% of partial ossicular replacement prostheses (PORPs) cases. These results are better than obtained previously with either ossicles or cartilage alone.