LAUSR

Abstract Background There are many reports on the role of the malleus handle in ossicular chain reconstruction (OCR). However, the effect of the presence of the malleus handle is not clear. Aim/objectives To compare the hearing outcomes of using a partial ossicular replacement prosthesis (PORP) to reconstruct the ossicular chain under otoendoscopy with and without a malleus handle. Methods Records of 57 patients requiring OCR were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into the malleus handle-present group (group 1) and the malleus handle-absent group (group 2). The audiometric results were analyzed pre- and postoperatively. A postoperative air-bone gap (ABG)≤20 dB was considered successful. Results The mean improvement in air conduction hearing thresholds was 19.80 dB in group 1 and 16.70 dB in group 2. The mean ABG improvement was 18.09 ± 12.79 dB for group 1 and 17.20 ± 16.44 dB for group 2. The malleus handle-present group achieved higher success (65.63%) than the malleus handle-absent group (52%; p> .05). Conclusions and significance Improvements in hearing outcomes were similar for the two groups. However, the malleus handle-present group showed a better reconstruction success rate. Our results suggest that if there is no lesion in the malleus handle, it is recommended to be retained.