Phylogeny of the stapes prosthesis.

Objective: To create the first ever stapes prosthesis phylogenetic tree for the evolution of the stapes prosthesis.

Study Design: Retrospective literature review, personal interviews.

Setting: University Medical Center.

Patient: Not applicable.

Intervention: Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures: Construction of a stapes prosthesis phylogenetic tree with branches capable of including all stapes prostheses.

Results: One hundred five different stapes prostheses were reviewed, starting with the first-ever prosthesis used in the first stapedectomy and continuing up to the present time. The stapes prosthesis family tree contains 4 main branches that allow for categorization of all the commercial prostheses currently used. Many examples of atavistic prostheses, single surgeon use, and dead-end characteristics exist.

Conclusion: An overview of the complicated phylogenetic tree for stapes prostheses gives great perspective to the history of stapedectomy and insights into many characteristics that are useful for designing new stapes prostheses.