Long-Term Results of TORP-Vibroplasty.

OBJECTIVE

Assessing long-term results of patients treated with total ossicular replacement prosthesis (TORP)-vibroplasty.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis.

SETTING

Tertiary referral center.

PATIENTS

A total of five patients (two women, three men; mean age, 66 yr) were eligible for evaluation after an average follow-up period of 5.1 years after TORP-vibroplasty.

INTERVENTIONS

Implantation of an active middle ear device in conjunction with a titanium coupler for oval window placement in patients with chronic middle ear disease with missing stapes suprastructure.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Audiometric outcomes and satisfaction of the patients.

RESULTS

The functional gain was 45.2 and 45.6 dB HL at 6 months and 5.1 years after implantation, respectively. The speech recognition using the Freiburg monosyllabic word test and speech intelligibility showed postoperatively a distinct improvement and revealed no statistically significant change across time for the entire follow-up period. According to the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids questionnaire, the patients stated considerable subjective benefits and satisfaction with the device.

CONCLUSION

The good outcomes of TORP-vibroplasty in chronic disabled ears are stable. They provide long-term and long-lasting satisfying audiologic results combined with a high satisfaction of the patient. Prerequisite is the stable attachment to the cochlear windows.