gms | German Medical Science

Introduction: The recently available omega-connector is a ball joint coupling module for ossiculoplasty to be used in combination with titanium TORPs in footplate-only-situations. To date, only 2 studies have been published in the literature reporting data of 14 or respectively 17 cases.

Methods: Retrospective study of the audiological results of 56 consecutive ossiculoplasties performed by the author using the omega-connector. The omega-connector was applied in all footplate-only-situations where it could savely be positioned on the footplate.

Results: 56 ossiculoplasties with application of the omega-connector were identified since 2009. In 48 cases the complete data of pre- and postoperative audiometry was available. The majority of cases were male patients (68%) and left ears (62%). The mean preoperative air-bone-gap (ABG) measured at 500 Hz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz and 3 kHz was 35,36 dB, the mean postoperative air-bone-gap was 24,54 dB. 41,67% of the patients met the success – criterion of a postoperative ABG of 20 dB or less. The postoperative results were analyzed with relation to the influence of different factors.

Conclusions: The use of the omega-connector in combination with titanium TORPs allows promising audiological results in ossiculoplasties in footplate-only-situations. Unfavorable results are often caused by ventilation disorders. In cases of CWD-operations for cholesteatoma a staged procedure is possibly beneficial.