[Synthetic implants in the reconstruction of the ossicular chain].

Experience has revealed a higher rate of functional failure of biocompatible prostheses used in the surgical reconstruction of the middle ear than was reported initially. The cause of these failures was analyzed in a retrospective study of 135 patients who underwent middle ear reconstructive procedures: 47 of them involved implantation of plastic prostheses. Proplast or Plastipore, and had a sufficient follow-up. We evaluated the prosthetic material and middle-ear conditions for which they were implanted.