[Ceramic implants in middle ear surgery (author's transl)].

Several different ceramic materials have recently been used in middle ear surgery: bio-inert aluminum oxide, bio-active glass and bio-active tri- and tetra-calcium phosphate. We have compared these materials with regard to their physical properties as well as various characteristic biological reactions when used in implantation. All of these materials were found to exhibit excellent biocompatibility. Other advantages relate to specific applications of the material and depend on the particular qualities of the individual ceramic. However, we conclude that caution is needed against the uncritical application of these materials in middle ear surgery and consider some still open question for their use.