Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The prosthesis/eardrum interface is often deliberately modified by cartilage overlay, or by soft tissue in-growth. We examined the effects of vibration transmission to the footplate of inserting cartilage of varying sizes, and materials of varying rigidities.
STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Using fresh human cadaveric temporal bones, stapes vibrations were measured. A partial ossicular reconstruction prosthesis was covered with differing materials and cartilage sizes. Materials used included glass (rigid), cartilage (intermediate), and Merocel® (soft). Cartilage sizes varied in size relative to the prosthesis head.
RESULTS: Rigidity of material had little impact. Cartilage size had an impact, with smaller cartilage covers performing best.
CONCLUSION: Larger cartilage sizes performed worse. This could be a result of increased tension on the eardrum from larger cartilage size. There is little impact stiffness of interposed material stiffness.
SIGNIFICANCE: Cartilage of the size used clinically has little impact on vibration transmission to the footplate. A wide range of materials could clinically be interposed over the prosthesis.
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