Kurz titanium prostheses in paediatric ossiculoplasty--short term results.

Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of ossiculoplasty procedures in the paediatric population when the Kurz titanium ossicular prosthesis is used.

Patients And Methods: Data was collected prospectively upon 14 ossiculoplasty cases using Kurz titanium prostheses. Audiological parameters using four frequency average (FFA(0.5, 1, 2 and 4kHz)) were assessed pre- and post-operatively.

Results: In the case of patients reconstructed using partial ossicular reconstruction prostheses, 7/9 (78%) achieved an air bone gap (<20dB) using FFA criteria. Parameters at 12-month follow-up suggested 4/5 (80%) patients reconstructed using total ossicular reconstruction prostheses achieved an air bone gap (<20dB) using FFA.

Conclusion: The question of age and presence of co-existing cholesteatoma or tympanic membrane perforation does not appear to mitigate against performing ossicular reconstruction in this age group. Consequently, the results of this study suggest that the use of Kurz titanium prostheses is a feasible option to augment hearing in paediatric cases involving chronic otitis media. This is a significant finding especially in view of the added psychological burden of hearing difficulties carried by the paediatric population.