[Minor aplasia of the ear: anatomical findings and results of functional surgery].

We report a retrospective study of 57 cases of minor aplasia of the ear. Each case was analyzed according to the clinical presentation, audiometric results and preoperative radiography. Intra-operative classification of the malformation was obtained in 56 of the 57 cases. The post-operative anatomic and functional results were analyzed. Stapedectomy in type II malformations (stapedo-vestibular ankylosis) gave the best results but this procedure also carries the highest risk for the inner ear. Globally, functional results were good or average in 48% of the patients. These results may appear unsatisfactory but must be appreciated in light of the fact that half of the patients benefited from the operation (particularly in eliminating further use of an external hearing aid). Nevertheless, the long-term stability of these audition results is unknown.