Titanium as an ossicular replacement material: results after 336 days of implantation in the rabbit.

OBJECTIVE

Titanium in other parts of the body, well known for its biocompatibility, was examined in an animal model for its use as an ossicular replacement material.

STUDY DESIGN

The biocompatibility of titanium was studied in the middle ear of rabbits using light and scanning electron microscopy. Titanium pins were placed as middle ear prostheses or as free implants and were examined after 28, 84, 168, and 336 days.

RESULTS

After 28 days, the prostheses were covered by regular mucosa. The free implants took up to 336 days to be totally epithelialized. There were no inflammatory cells observed on the surface of the material nor were unusual amounts of fibrous tissue seen. In addition, the titanium material exhibited an affinity toward bone.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this animal experiment indicate that titanium is a useful material for ossicular replacement prostheses.