Comparative evaluation of early results with ossicular reconstruction employing titanium and hydroxyapatite prostheses

Background: Synthetic graft materials are needed for ossicular reconstruction in chronic otitis media (COM) when autografts are inadequate. This study aims to analyze and compare the outcome of ossiculoplasty in terms of hearing gain using titanium (Ti) and hydroxyapatite (HA) prostheses in patients with COM. Study Design: Quasi-randomized study. Materials and Methods: Seventy patients of COM with air-bone gap (ABG) >40 dB were divided into two equal groups. The first group was reconstructed with Ti and the second group with HA prostheses. Hearing thresholds were evaluated postoperatively at 3rd and 12th month at the four frequency averages of 0.5/1/2/4 kHz. Results: There was no significant difference in ABG closure when intergroup comparison is made ( P > 0.05 at 3rd and 12th months); however, intragroup ABG closure was significant in both groups, at the end of the 3rd month and 12th month ( P Conclusion: Both prostheses give comparable hearing gain in ossicular reconstruction. These prostheses are a good alternative in longstanding cases of COM without any available ossicular autograft for hearing reconstruction.