Active middle-ear implant fixation in an unusual place

Clinical Record

Active middle-ear implant fixation in an unusual place: clinical and audiological outcomes

J F Polanski^a1a2 c1, A D Soares^a1, Z M Dos Santos^a1 and O L Mendonça Cruz^a1

^a1 Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Federal University of São Paulo ('UNIFESP'), Curitiba, Brazil

^a2 Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Brazil

Abstract

Objective: The Vibrant Soundbridge is an active middle-ear implant for hearing rehabilitation that is usually placed in the long process of the incus or round window. This study reports on the unusual implant attachment to the short process of the incus in a patient with ear malformation, and describes their audiological and clinical outcomes.

Methods: Case report and literature review.

Results: Audiological evaluation with the Vibrant Soundbridge implant showed a pure tone average of 31 dB. The speech test, at 65 dB HL, revealed correct recognition of 92 per cent of disyllabic words. The Glasgow Hearing Aid Benefit Profile showed high levels of satisfaction, hearing aid use and benefit.

Conclusion: Fixation of the Vibrant Soundbridge implant on the short process of the incus is a feasible option, with good clinical and audiological outcomes. Coupling the floating mass transducer to the short process of the incus is a good surgical option, especially when the long process and the oval or round window are inaccessible.

Key words

• Hearing Loss; 
• Incus; 
• Hearing Aids; 
• Middle Ear Implant

Correspondence

^c1 Address for correspondence: Dr José Fernando Polanski, Rua Des. Westphalen, 289–31, CEP: 80010-110, Curitiba, Brazil Fax: +55 41 3045 9400 E-mail: jfpolanski@gmail.com

Footnotes

  Dr J F Polanski takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

from #Med Blogs by Alexandros G.Sfakianakis via Alexandros G.Sfakianakis on Inoreader http://ift.tt/1RMKTGr
via IFTTT