Restoration of Ossicular Continuity With Methyl Methacrylate

DURING the course of experimental investigations intended to discover some of the factors underlying the poor predictability of results in tympanoplasty, 1,2 we have had numerous opportunities to observe the relationship between various characteristics of prostheses and their influence on the transmission of sound through the middle ear in human temporal-bone preparations. Through experiments which have demonstrated the adverse features of many types of prostheses now in common use, we have gradually acquired an understanding of the characteristics which appear to be necessary for an optimally effective prosthesis. Placement of the prosthesis should not involve extensive manipulation of the middle ear structures, in order to avoid the risk of stapes luxation or fracture of the crura. The attachment of the prosthesis to the middle ear structures should be absolutely positive at both terminals to prevent slipping or extrusion, and yet without mechanical pressure or torque which might