Long-term viability of transplanted ossicles.

Doubt has been raised about the long-term suitability of ossicular implants in tympanoplasty. Twenty-three ossicular implants that had been in the middle ear for a mean duration of 9.6 years were examined histologically by light microscopy. Although there were only two specimens showing subtotal replacement of the dead ossicular implant by new bone, the structural integrity of all implants was maintained and there was no evidence of overt osteoclastic bone resorption. Therefore our findings support the concept of prolonged survival of ossicular implants in the middle ear and we do not see any good reason for abandoning their use in reconstructive tympanoplasty.