Experimental results concerning the reconstruction of the stapes superstructure with bioactive ceramics.

We examined the feasibility of rebuilding a stable stapes superstructure in the middle ear for a new articulated ossicular chain by using bioactive ceramic and glass ceramic in guinea pigs. The ceramic implants were placed on the stapes footplate without touching the tympanic membrane, thus protecting it against relative movements. The implants were removed together with the stapes footplate after six weeks, three and six months respectively. After six weeks, histological evidence of bony connections between all ceramic implants and the remnants of the crurae were found, being more pronounced after three and six months. We propose a new implant for the reconstruction of the stapes superstructure.