[Ankylosis of the malleus head. Etiology, therapeutic indications and results].

A review of 62 cases of blockage of head of malleus showed that apart from secondary lesions (post-traumatic, postoperative, postinfectious), primary blockades were a definite entity. The latter were either isolated or associated with stapedo-vestibular ankylosis. Isolated blockade of head of malleus provoties only direct transmission deafness, and is associated in nearly all cases with a cochlear lesion, often bilateral, at least in the primary forms. Instead of simple unblocking of the attic, the treatment preferred is an ablation of the incus, section of head of malleus and subsequent functional gestures that are described.