Ossiculoplasty is an ear surgery performed to repair one or more of the hearing bones (ossicles). There are three ossicles: the malleus, incus, and stapes. If the ossicles are not working correctly (causes for this include: trauma, infection, cholesteatoma, tumor) hearing is impaired, producing a conductive hearing loss.
Surgery is performed under general anesthesia, with a nerve monitor to monitor the facial nerve during the operation. Most patients will be discharged from the hospital the same day, typically a few hours after the operation.
The surgery is performed under a high-power microscope, as the structures being repaired are very small and delicate. Most incisions are made in the ear canal. Ossiculoplasty is often performed as part of another operation, such as tympanoplasty or cholesteatoma surgery. Many different types of materials are used to repair the ossicles, including cartilage (from the patient’s ear) or a prosthesis (often made of titanium).
After the procedure, your surgeon will provide you with information about postoperative care.
If you would like to learn more about this procedure, please contact the Kingston Ear InstituteTM to arrange a consultation.
