The histopathology of the incus after stapedectomy.

Twenty-two temporal bones subjected to stapedectomy were examined by light microscopy for histological changes in the long process of the incus. In 19 cases a stainless steel wire technique had been used and in three a polyethylene tube operation had been performed. Twenty healthy unoperated ears were examined as controls. In all operated ears fibrosis and reduced vascularity of the mucosa was noted. In the polyethylene tube group, 1 ear showed the growth of new bone into the lumen of the tube and 1 showed minor resorption of the long process of the incus. In the stainless steel wire group bone resorption of the long process of the incus. In the stainless steel wire group bone resporption was seen in 5 cases and 1 incus also showed an area of necrosis adjacent to the tip; 2 of the 5 incudes showed some loss of the lenticular process. The main factor relating to bony resorption in this group was the presence of other histological changes resulting from postoperative inflammation. These findings represent a critical histological examination; the hearing results obtained appear to be good, although full audiometry is lacking.