Ossicular Chain Reconstruction: One or Two Bones
Ossicular chain reconstruction (also called middle ear bone surgery) can improve conductive hearing. It can be done to replace a damaged malleus or incus bone. During surgery, you will be given local anesthesia with sedation. Or you may receive general anesthesia. Middle ear bone surgery takes about 1–3 hours. It is often done along with a tympanoplasty or a mastoidectomy.
Damaged Malleus or Incus Bones
Injury or infection can damage the malleus or incus bones. Your surgeon reaches these bones by going through the ear canal or making an incision behind the ear. Then an incision is made around the eardrum. The eardrum is held to one side. All or part of the damaged bone is removed.
Replacing One or Both Bones
The damaged malleus or incus bone—or both—may be replaced with a manmade part. This part is called a prosthesis. Or your surgeon may use a donor middle ear bone. Your surgeon attaches the prosthesis or the donor bone where needed. Then the eardrum is put back in place.
Publication Source:
Cruz OLM, Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery, 4th ed., Chapter 122 - Anatomy of the skull base, temporal bone, external ear, and middle ear, 2005, pp 2805-2807
Publication Source:
El-Kashlan HK, Harker LA, Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery, 4th ed., Chapter 136 - Tympanoplasty and ossiculoplasty, 2005, pp 3071-3073
Online Medical Reviewer:
Ryan, Matthew W., MD
Date Last Reviewed:
8/2/2004
Date Last Modified:
7/9/2002