Incus interposition and ossiculoplasty with hydroxyapatite prostheses.

This article traces the evolution of transplant material in ossicular reconstruction of the middle ear. The first transplant consisted of the body and short process of the homograft incus. It was repositioned or wedged between the stapes head and the manubrium of the malleus. Further modification consisted of the sculpture of prostheses from homograft incudes; these were known as the notched incus with short or long process. By means of a notch in the short process, they were locked in place. The final phase is the use of hydroxyapatite as a biocompatible material from which similar prostheses may be precisely manufactured. These hydroxyapatite prostheses, known as the incus and incus-stapes replacement prosthesis, appear to be well tolerated and to produce excellent hearing results.