Long term results of glass ionomer ossiculoplasty

ObjectiveTo analyze and compare the early and late post-operative results of glass ionomer bone cement (GIBC) used in ossiculoplasty.MethodsThe pre-operative, early post-operative (3 months) and late post-operative (> 2 years) audiometric findings, namely the pure-tone average (PTA), bone conduction threshold (BCT) and air-bone gap (ABG) of 40 patients who underwent GIBC ossiculoplasty for different etiologies were analyzed. Early and late results were compared. Also, the patients were grouped in terms of prognostic factors and applied ossiculoplasty techniques, and the results were compared between the groups.ResultsThere were statistically significant improvements in the pure-tone average and air-bone gap of the patients in the early post-operative period (PTA from 59.60 & PLUSMN; 15.95 to 40.37 & PLUSMN; 17.83 and ABG from 37.12 & PLUSMN; 11.18 to 19.78 & PLUSMN; 10.41, p < 0.001 for both). There were no statistically significant changes in any of the audiometric parameters in the late post-operative period (PTA from 40.37 & PLUSMN; 17.83 to 39.79 & PLUSMN; 17.91, ABG from 19.78 & PLUSMN; 10.41 to 19.32 & PLUSMN; 9.60, BCT from 17.99 & PLUSMN; 12.71 to 18.31 & PLUSMN; 13.99, p > 0.05 for all). Presence of tympanosclerosis was found to be the only prognostic factor to affect the outcome.ConclusionGIBC is a safe and reliable material for ossiculoplasty, which maintains its ability to conduct sound in the long-term follow-up.

Automated summary

The study aimed to analyze and compare the early and late post-operative results of GIBC used in ossiculoplasty. Audiometric findings of 40 patients were analyzed and it was found that there were significant improvements in hearing in the early post-operative period, while no significant changes were observed in the late post-operative period. The study concluded that GIBC is a safe and reliable material for ossiculoplasty, maintaining its ability to conduct sound in the long-term follow-up.